Trump Admin Debunks Viral Rumor After Deadly LaGuardia Crash

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shut down rumors that a deadly runway crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport was caused by a lack of air traffic controllers, telling reporters on Monday that the airport is well-staffed.

Duffy, flanked by Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) along with several others, took several questions about the collision — between an Air Canada flight 8646 and a Port Authority fire truck — that occurred late Sunday night. While he deferred most questions to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is handling the full investigation, Duffy responded immediately when a reporter asked whether a lack of air traffic controllers had been a factor in the crash.

Several reports have included audio from Air Traffic Control that features one air traffic controller calling for the fire truck to stop — and then a short time later saying that he’d “messed up.” Another voice could be heard saying that he’d done “the best he could.”

One reporter asked Duffy at the press conference whether there was any truth to rumors that only one air traffic controller had been working at the time — and whether he thought such an incident might discourage people from choosing to become air traffic controllers, and Duffy said that it shouldn’t.

“I told you I am not going to talk about specifics, but for that question, I will say that is inaccurate,” Duffy said. He went on to note that the Transportation Department is doing everything possible to retain experienced air traffic controllers and train new recruits in order to fill vacancies, but he went on to say, “As airports go, LaGuardia is a well-staffed airport … I did want to clarify, I have heard the rumor there was only on controller in the tower and that is not accurate.”

Duffy laid out several key updates that he wanted Congress to approve funding for, saying that providing for the safety of the American people while they travel should not be a partisan issue. “There is bipartisan agreement so they should come together and figure out a way to give us the rest of the dollars to complete the job.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said LaGuardia is “well-staffed” but still faces a shortage of air traffic controllers. He said there are currently 33 certified controllers but the goal is to have 37. More than one controller was on duty at the time of the accident, he said.… pic.twitter.com/RfMr5Z1VwA

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) March 23, 2026