Air Canada Plane Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia, Two Crew Members Killed
New York – A collision between an Air Canada Express plane and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night resulted in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to several others, officials confirmed Monday. The incident prompted a full shutdown of the airport and a federal investigation.
The Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, struck a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle while landing on Runway 4 around 11:40 p.m. local time. The fire truck was responding to a separate, unrelated incident involving another aircraft reporting a mechanical issue, according to authorities.
Audio recordings from air traffic control reveal a chaotic scene in the moments leading up to the crash. Controllers repeatedly instructed a vehicle to “Stop. Stop. Stop.” before announcing a collision had occurred. Seconds later, the controller informed the Air Canada flight they had struck the vehicle and instructed them to hold their position.
“I repeat, Runway 422 is closed at this time. Tower car 90, LaGuardia Airport is closed at this time,” a controller announced as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
While the pilots were killed, authorities stated that the 72 passengers and four other crew members on board the aircraft largely avoided serious injuries. Several personnel within the fire truck were also injured. Passengers were evacuated and transported from the scene by bus.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop following the crash, diverting and delaying flights. LaGuardia Airport has since reopened, but residual delays are expected.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Initial reports suggest the fire truck may have been cleared to cross the runway, but the exact sequence of events remains under scrutiny.
Visuals from the scene show significant damage to the front of the Air Canada aircraft. This incident underscores the inherent risks involved in airport operations and highlights the critical importance of clear communication and adherence to safety protocols. The NTSB investigation will aim to determine the contributing factors and prevent similar incidents in the future.