LaGuardia Crash: Jets & Fire Truck Collision – Latest Updates
Two pilots were killed and dozens injured late Sunday when an Air Canada regional jet collided with a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle on the runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, prompting a temporary shutdown of the airport. The crash occurred shortly after 11:45 p.m. As Air Canada Flight 8646, arriving from Montreal, was taxiing after landing, according to Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia.
The pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, were pronounced dead at the scene, officials confirmed. Two Port Authority police officers, a sergeant and an officer, were among the injured, suffering broken bones, but are expected to recover, sources stated. At least 41 people on board the plane and the two Port Authority officers were transported to local hospitals, with some sustaining serious injuries. Elmhurst Hospital and Queens Presbyterian Hospital received a significant number of patients.
The collision demolished the front of the Air Canada jet, and an audio recording released Monday revealed an air traffic controller repeatedly telling a vehicle to “stop” before the impact. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, with personnel inspecting the wreckage for clues as to the cause. The incident marks LaGuardia Airport’s first fatal crash in three decades.
Flight operations at LaGuardia were suspended in the immediate aftermath of the collision, leading to widespread disruptions. The airport reopened at 2 p.m. Monday, authorities announced, though residual delays were expected. A total of 72 passengers and four crew members were on board the flight originating from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
Air Canada issued a statement expressing its condolences to the families of the deceased pilots and offering support to those injured. The airline is cooperating fully with the NTSB investigation. The Port Authority has not yet released details regarding the separate incident the fire truck was responding to when the collision occurred.
The investigation will focus on determining why the fire truck was on the runway and the sequence of events leading up to the impact. Authorities have not yet clarified what caused the collision, and the NTSB investigation is ongoing.