Two air traffic controllers left work early on the night of the deadly plane collision at LaGuardia Airport, according to findings from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The crash happened in March when a small aircraft collided with an airport fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia. Both pilots were killed, and several people were injured.
According to ABC7 New York, the FAA found that two controllers left about an hour before the end of their scheduled shifts that night. The agency is now moving toward disciplinary action, including possible termination.
A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board had already raised concerns about staffing in the control tower. At the time of the collision, one controller was reportedly handling both ground traffic and aircraft movements, duties that are often divided between two controllers.
The investigation into the crash is continuing, and federal officials have not yet issued a final determination on the cause.
Source: ABC7 New York; FAA; NTSB.
By NJ RADAR Team