2 LaGuardia air traffic controllers left work an hour early before deadly crash, AP source says

Two air traffic controllers at New York's LaGuardia Airport left their posts about an hour early on the night of the deadly Air Canada jet crash, potentially facing termination, according to a government source. The crash killed both pilots of the plane, which collided with a fire truck on the runway. The controllers' early departure left only two people in the tower to direct numerous flights and handle an emergency on another plane on the ground.

They were scheduled to work past when the crash occurred, and their actions may have been crucial in preventing the catastrophe, the source said. The FAA is considering disciplinary action, up to firing the pair, while the union is discussing the allegations with FAA leadership. Leaving the airport early when a required break coincides with the end of a shift is a common practice known as an "early shove" in the industry.

The FAA emphasized its commitment to holding employees accountable and protecting the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system.