US officials have dismissed speculation about the role of distracted air traffic controllers in a deadly plane crash at New York's LaGuardia Airport, which killed two pilots and damaged an emergency vehicle.

US officials on Tuesday played down speculation that distracted air traffic controllers might have contributed to a deadly collision between an Air Canada jet and a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Two pilots were killed in the runway crash late on Sunday, which crushed the cockpit of the Bombardier plane and heavily damaged the emergency vehicle. Media reports said investigators were investigating whether airport traffic controllers were distracted by an odour issue on a United...