Flight controllers allegedly punched out early before Air Canada plane crash

The U.S. federal agency has not addressed the accusations directly but said it is “committed to holding employees accountable.”

“We will not compromise the safety or efficiency of the National Airspace System,” the FAA said in an email.

Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on March 22, an air traffic controller cleared an Air Canada Express plane to land less than two minutes before green-lighting a fire truck to cross the active runway. The resulting collision left two Canadian aviators dead and sent more than 40 people to hospital.

Footage shows the jet speeding along the rain-streaked strip as the truck crosses its path, veering away too late from an impact that unleashed a trail of smoke and debris as the plane skidded more than 100 metres farther, its cockpit obliterated.

The controller recognized the danger moments beforehand, instructing the truck to “stop” — 12 times in 10 seconds — but receiving no reply.

A preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board in April found that system failures and communication issues played a key role in the accident.

Experts have praised the pilots — Quebecer Antoine Forest and Ontarian MacKenzie Gunther, who flew for Air Canada Express carrier Jazz Aviation — for their quick braking that likely saved lives.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2026.

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Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Flight controllers allegedly punched out early before Air Canada plane crash

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