Just saw this on NBC BayArea, and they were blaming the "stress of not knowing when they will be paid" as reason for the error.

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) – "Two small planes were involved in a frightening close call near Oakland International Airport during the 35-day government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed this week.

Officials said the planes, which were both flying at an altitude around 2,000 feet, came within 500 feet of each other. One of the planes descended to avoid a collision.

The pilots told the New York Times that the control tower mistakenly told them to fly directly at each other."

sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/02/01/oakland-airport-oak-small-plane-close-call-during-government-shutdown/amp/