LaGuardia Controller Staffing on March 22 Night May Have Violated Rules

Story Summary

A document seen by Reuters suggests LaGuardia air traffic controller staffing on the night of the March 22 Air Canada crash may have violated facility procedures by combining local and ground roles before midnight. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating whether controllers performed duties inconsistent with standard operating procedures, which prohibit position consolidation prior to midnight. While staffing shortages have led to combined roles nationwide, the specific duties of the controllers involved in the fatal collision remain unclear.