LaGuardia Air Canada crash: controllers allegedly left tower early before collision

Two air traffic controllers allegedly left work early shortly before an Air Canada Express plane crashed at New York's LaGuardia Airport in March, killing both pilots.

The US Federal Aviation Administration is considering firing the controllers, who allegedly left about an hour before their shifts ended, according to US media reports.

Their departure reportedly left two colleagues in the LaGuardia control tower without backup.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association confirmed it was discussing the allegations with the FAA.

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

The FAA has not directly confirmed the allegations but told CBC News it is "committed to holding employees accountable."

"We will not compromise the safety or efficiency of the National Airspace System," the agency said.

The March 22 crash occurred after a controller cleared the Air Canada Express aircraft to land less than two minutes before allowing a fire truck to cross the active runway.

Pilots Antoine Forest and MacKenzie Gunther were killed and more than 40 people were taken to hospital.

A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report later identified system failures and communication problems as contributing factors in the collision.