2 air traffic controllers left early on night of deadly LaGuardia Air Canada plane crash at New York airport, FAA finds

The crash back on March 23 killed both pilots, left dozens injured NEW YORK -- The Federal Aviation Administration determined two air traffic controllers left work an hour early the night a plane crashed into a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in March . The Wall Street Journal was the first to report this development and says the agency is now moving to fire the two controllers. It is not uncommon for controllers to leave early, a practice, known internally as an "early shove," as many work six days a week due to staffing shortages, but is a form of timecard fraud. "The vast majority of air traffic controllers are great patriots -- they show up for work, complete their full shift, and come back and do it all again. But when a small percentage of individuals take advantage of the American taxpayer, unfairly add additional work to their fellow controllers, and impact the airspace-- we have no choice but to act. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association says it is discussing with FAA leadership.

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