In the aftermath of the deadly LaGuardia Airport runway collision, a key question emerged about air traffic controller staffing at the time of the crash. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has now debunked the claim that only one controller was present in the tower, calling it 'inaccurate.'
Duffy confirmed that more than one air traffic controller was present in the LaGuardia tower at the time of Sunday's fatal collision. He described LaGuardia as a 'very well-staffed airport' but did not give exact details about staffing that night, saying the NTSB would handle that.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident alongside Canadian partners. Duffy noted that the tower is supposed to have 37 controllers and currently has 33, along with seven trainees.
Air traffic controllers work every day to keep passengers and cargo moving safely and efficiently, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The union said they will be a ready partner with the administration and Congress in any effort to further modernize the ATC system to maximize safety and protect lives.
The Air Canada flight, a Bombardier CRJ-900 carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, collided with a fire truck on the runway. The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. Two Port Authority workers in the fire truck were hospitalized with broken bones.
