LaGuardia Crash: Air Canada Plane Hits Fire Truck – Latest Updates

Two pilots died late Monday after their Air Canada Express flight collided with a firetruck on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport in Novel York City, federal officials confirmed. The incident occurred as the aircraft was taxiing, according to preliminary reports.

Mayor Mamdani joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Duffy and FAA Administrator Timothy Bedford at a press conference Tuesday morning to provide updates on the investigation. “This has shaken New Yorkers,” Mayor Mamdani stated, offering condolences to the families of the pilots.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are jointly investigating the cause of the collision. NTSB officials have acknowledged challenges in deploying a full investigative team to the site, and are working to “set expectations” regarding the timeline for a comprehensive report, according to reports.

U.S. Officials have identified the two members of the fire truck crew involved in the accident, but have not released their names publicly. Secretary Duffy declined to comment on staffing levels at LaGuardia Airport when questioned by reporters, stating, “I’m not going to give the data on that.”

Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau addressed the fatal crash in a social media video, expressing his condolences and pledging full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

The FAA and NTSB are focused on determining the sequence of events that led to the collision between the Air Canada Express flight 8646 and the firetruck. The investigation is expected to include a review of air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records, and the operational procedures of both the airline and the airport’s ground crew.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the NTSB has not released any preliminary findings regarding the cause of the crash. The agency has secured the wreckage and is conducting interviews with witnesses. The FAA has also issued a notice to air missions regarding the incident, advising pilots to exercise caution when operating at LaGuardia Airport.