Duffy: More Than 1 Controller in LaGuardia Tower During Fatal Collision

Transportation Secretary says ‘rumor’ that only one ATC was working during the incident is ‘inaccurate.’

Jack Daleo

Monday, March 23, 2026 at 05:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

National Transportation Safety Board investigators arrive at LaGuardia Airport’s Runway 4 following the fatal collision between a passenger jet and fire truck. [Credit: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

A fatal runway collision occurred at LaGuardia Airport between an Air Canada jet and a fire truck, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to fire truck operators and 39 passengers.
While a LaGuardia air traffic controller admitted to "messing up," U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy refuted rumors of single staffing in the tower, stating multiple controllers were present, with staffing levels under NTSB investigation.
Transportation Secretary Duffy used the incident to advocate for an additional $31.5 billion in congressional funding to modernize the U.S. air traffic control system, highlighting challenges with antiquated technology and complex airspace training.

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday afternoon that there was more than one air traffic controller (ATC) in the tower at LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) during Sunday’s fatal runway collision between an Air Canada jet and fire truck.

Duffy in a news conference said the “rumor” that a LaGuardia controller—who moments after the crash said he “messed up”—was working alone, is “inaccurate.” He implied that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating the incident with Canadian partners, is aware of the tower’s staffing levels Sunday night.