Controllers accused of leaving work early before Air Canada crash at LaGuardia

The union representing U.S. air traffic controllers has confirmed allegations that two of its members left work early shortly before a deadly collision involving an Air Canada Express jet at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in March.

U.S. media reports say the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering firing the two controllers, who allegedly clocked out about an hour before their shifts ended, the Canadian Press reports.

Their departure reportedly left two other controllers working in the LaGuardia tower without backup in the lead-up to the March 22 crash, which killed two Canadian pilots and sent more than 40 people to hospital.

READ MORE: “I messed up”: Early audio points to runway clearance error in deadly Air Canada crash at LaGuardia

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) acknowledged the allegations in an emailed statement Thursday after they were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

"NATCA is actively discussing these allegations with FAA leadership. We believe those discussions are the appropriate forum for addressing the matter," the union said.

The FAA has not directly commented on the allegations or reports that the controllers could lose their jobs, but said it is "committed to holding employees accountable."

Deadly runway collision

The crash occurred shortly after 11:30 p.m. ET on March 22, when an air traffic controller cleared an Air Canada Express regional jet, arriving from Montreal, to land at LaGuardia.

Less than two minutes later, a fire truck was cleared to cross the active runway.

Footage of the incident showed the jet attempting to veer away before striking the vehicle, sending smoke and debris across the runway.

The aircraft skidded beyond the point of impact, with its cockpit destroyed.

The controller appeared to recognize the imminent danger moments before the collision, instructing the fire truck to "stop" 12 times within 10 seconds but receiving no response.

The aircraft was carrying 76 people and pilots Antoine Forest, 30, and Mackenzie Gunther, 24, were killed. 

Experts have also credited Forest and Gunther with taking quick action to brake the aircraft, potentially preventing an even greater loss of life.

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