On August 27, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration reported that two air traffic controllers left their assigned shifts ahead of schedule during the night a fatal Air Canada aircraft crashed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The early departures were identified in a review of controller staffing conducted after the accident, which claimed multiple lives.
The Air Canada flight, operating out of LaGuardia, suffered a crash that resulted in fatalities. The incident prompted immediate scrutiny of airport operations and air traffic management, leading the FAA to examine the staffing patterns in place at the time of the crash.
In the FAA’s internal audit, the two controllers were found to have logged out before the end of their scheduled duty periods. The audit noted that their early departure created a shortfall in the tower’s personnel roster during the critical hours surrounding the accident.
The agency said the finding will be incorporated into a broader safety review aimed at confirming that adequate coverage is maintained at all times. The review will assess whether existing shift protocols and backup procedures were sufficient to handle unexpected staff absences.
Federal officials emphasized that the investigation into the crash itself remains ongoing, and that the staffing issue is a separate element under examination. No conclusions have been drawn about a direct link between the controllers’ early exit and the cause of the accident.
The FAA plans to release a detailed report after completing its analysis of staffing practices and any potential impact on flight safety at LaGuardia. The agency’s findings will be shared with airline operators, including Air Canada, and with the airport authority to guide any corrective actions.