NEW YORK, USA- Two pilots have been killed and dozens of people injured after a regional Air Canada Express jet collided with a firefighting truck on the runway while landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, authorities say.
The Bombardier CRJ‑900 aircraft, operating as Flight AC8646 on behalf of Air Canada and carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, struck a Port Authority fire truck late on Sunday night as it was completing its approach from Montréal‑Trudeau International Airport.
Tragic Loss of Life and Injuries
Officials confirmed that both the captain and first officer died in the collision.
At least 39 people on the aircraft, along with two occupants of the fire truck, were taken to the hospital, with nine reported to have more serious injuries and the rest later discharged.
Investigators said the collision occurred around 11:38 pm local time when the plane was landing at LaGuardia’s Runway 4 and the fire engine, part of the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) unit, was crossing the runway to respond to a separate emergency.
A flight attendant, who was seated behind the cockpit, was ejected from the aircraft during the impact and survived with serious injuries, authorities added.
Here’s CCTV footage capturing the exact moment Air Canada Express Flight AC8646, a Bombardier CRJ-900, collided with a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport last night.
Air Traffic Control and Initial Findings
Preliminary air traffic control audio released by media outlets suggests controllers cleared the fire truck to cross the runway moments before the aircraft was also cleared to land.
A controller was heard urgently trying to halt the vehicle, saying “Stop, stop, stop,” but the aircraft reached the crossing before it could be stopped.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with U.S. and Canadian aviation authorities, has launched an investigation into the crash.
Investigators are focusing on runway coordination and communication protocols between air traffic control and ground vehicles.
Airport Disruption and Response
LaGuardia Airport was temporarily closed following the accident, with hundreds of incoming and outgoing flights cancelled and diverted to nearby hubs including John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Most flights resumed operations by the afternoon after wreckage was cleared and inspections completed.
Emergency responders from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) worked alongside Port Authority crews to secure the scene, assist the injured, and begin initial assessments of what transpired.
Local and national leaders in both the United States and Canada expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The mayor of New York said the tragedy was a reminder of the risks faced by aviation personnel and first responders, while Canadian officials honoured the service of the pilots who lost their lives.
Listen to the audio from the Air Traffic Control tower moments around the Air Canada plane crash at New York’s LaGuardia airport.🔗Latest: trib.al/YKoeYnY
Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
Although runway incursions, in which aircraft and vehicles enter the same space, are rare, aviation experts say such incidents highlight ongoing challenges in managing busy airport environments.
LaGuardia is one of the busiest regional airports in the United States, handling millions of passengers annually.
The crash comes amid broader discussions about safety procedures, staffing levels in air traffic control and the complexities of coordinating emergency responses on active airfields.
The NTSB’s investigation is expected to take weeks or months to determine contributing factors and safety recommendations.
