Air Canada Express Crash: Pilots Killed in New York Fire Truck Collision
The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express flight died Sunday night after their aircraft collided with a Port Authority fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, officials confirmed. The crash, which occurred around 11:40 p.m., prompted the immediate closure of the airport and an ongoing investigation.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operating as Air Canada Express flight 8646 from Montreal, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the incident. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 41 passengers and crew were transported to local hospitals, with 32 subsequently released. Two members of the fire crew were also hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition.
The fire truck involved was responding to a separate incident – a United Airlines flight, flight 2384, that had requested assistance due to an unknown odor in the cockpit after rejecting takeoff. The truck was cleared to cross the runway when the collision occurred, according to reports.
Images from the scene reveal significant damage to the nose of the Air Canada Express jet, which was tilted upward. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the circumstances leading to the collision, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that LaGuardia Airport is expected to remain closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday to facilitate the investigation.
Jazz Aviation, the operator of the Air Canada Express flight, confirmed the incident in a statement. Air Canada has referred all inquiries to Jazz. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA have initiated investigations into the cause of the collision, but have not yet released any preliminary findings.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicates the aircraft was traveling at approximately 24 mph at the time of impact. Eighteen flights were diverted to other airports in the New York area, or returned to their origin, as a result of the airport closure.
Passengers from the flight have been directed to the Air Canada ticket counter to be reunited with their families, including one unaccompanied minor who was on board, according to Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not provided a timeline for the reopening of LaGuardia Airport.