CNN reported on August 27 that two LaGuardia air traffic controllers left work early on the night of the March 22, 2026 fatal collision between an Air Canada Express jet and an airport fire truck. Reuters independently confirmed that the FAA is now moving to fire those two controllers, who were supposed to still be on duty when the crash happened.

The crash itself killed both pilots and injured dozens of people. CNN says the NTSB had initially described the tower as fully staffed, but this new information shows two scheduled controllers had already left. Importantly, investigators have not yet concluded that their early departure caused the collision; the NTSB investigation is still ongoing.

So the clean fact-check is:

• ✅ True: Two controllers allegedly left early that night.
• ✅ True: The FAA is pursuing disciplinary action/firing.
• ✅ True: The collision was deadly.
• ⚠️ Not yet established: that those two controllers leaving early was a direct cause of the crash.

Verdict: 🟢 Real, with the causal link still under investigation.