On the night of 22/3, an Air Canada Express plane, carrying 76 people, was on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, New York, amidst poor weather. A fire truck, sirens blaring, was simultaneously speeding across an intersection ahead. The aircraft collided with the fire truck's right side, causing the plane to slide, emit thick smoke, and sustain severe damage to its nose.
On 27/8, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that aviation officials found two air traffic controllers left their posts approximately one hour early before the accident. This left the two remaining controllers at the LaGuardia Airport tower without crucial support during a surge in workload. On the day of the incident, the busy airport managed over double its typical traffic volume.
Air traffic control recordings show the fire truck initially received clearance to cross runway 4 in the Delta taxiway area. Shortly after, the controller realized the error, as runway 4 was the landing strip for the Bombardier CRJ-900.
Moment a Canadian plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport, US, on 22/3. *Video: X/Mohit*
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the accident resulted in the deaths of two pilots and severe injuries to 6 others, including one crew member, passengers, and ground staff.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is initiating dismissal proceedings against the two air traffic controllers involved. However, the NTSB has not yet determined if the staffing shortage at the control tower contributed to the collision. Aviation incidents typically arise from a sequence of errors, and investigators often require one year or more to pinpoint the exact cause.
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The scene of the plane-fire truck collision at LaGuardia Airport on 23/3. *Photo: AP*
Air traffic controllers indicate that employees leaving shifts early has been a "long-standing industry practice." Managers reportedly often permit early departures.
FAA officials view this as time card fraud. Sources familiar with the situation indicate that this year, the agency has moved to dismiss over 10 air traffic controllers for alleged time card fraud or misuse of leave policies.
The dismissal process for air traffic controllers can be protracted, potentially resulting in lesser disciplinary actions or even overturned decisions, as seen in past instances.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) stated it is engaged in discussions with FAA management regarding the fraud allegations.
"The extraordinary dedication of thousands of air traffic controllers should not be dismissed," the union stated. "They report to work daily, often facing severe staffing shortages, and consistently prioritize passenger safety."
By Ngoc Anh (Source: WSJ, AP)
