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Air Canada news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
FAA seeks to fire two air traffic controllers who left early before fatal Air Canada crash. The crash killed two pilots and injured dozens, raising questions about staffing.
Background
On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collided with a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, killing both pilots and injuring dozens. The FAA investigation found that two controllers left about an hour early, leaving the tower understaffed, and the agency is seeking to fire them as part of a broader timecard fraud inquiry.
How it unfolded
- Mar 22, 2026Air Canada Express Flight 8646 collided with a fire truck on Runway 4 at LaGuardia, killing both pilots and injuring 39 people.
- Aug 27, 2026Reports emerge that two controllers left early that night, and the FAA is seeking to fire them.
- Aug 28, 2026FAA confirms it is seeking to fire the two controllers, who are among a dozen nationwide under investigation for timecard fraud.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The FAA is taking steps to fire the controllers as part of an inquiry into timecard fraud.
- Union
- The union acknowledged the allegations but did not comment on the specifics.
Still unverified
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation by the NTSB; the controllers' early departure is alleged but not confirmed in court.