By Amanda Cox, New York
A deadly runway collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has left two pilots dead and dozens injured after an Air Canada regional jet struck a fire truck late Sunday night, triggering a major emergency response and temporary airport shutdown.
According to officials, the aircraft, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, had just arrived from Montreal when it collided with a Port Authority firefighting vehicle on the runway at approximately 11:40 p.m. local time on Sunday.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash, marking the most serious aviation incident at LaGuardia in decades.
- At least 40+ passengers, crew members, and emergency personnel were hospitalized with varying injuries.
- Two Port Authority officers inside the fire truck were also among the injured.
- Most passengers survived, with many treated and later released.
The flight was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, all of whom were accounted for after the crash.
Preliminary reports indicate the fire truck was responding to a separate emergency on the airfield when the collision occurred.
Flight tracking data suggests the aircraft was traveling at significant speed during landing when it struck the vehicle, causing severe damage to the plane’s front section.
Images from the scene show:
- The aircraft’s nose heavily damaged
- The fire truck overturned near the runway
- Emergency crews surrounding the wreckage
The incident forced LaGuardia Airport to shut down overnight, leading to widespread flight cancellations and diversions.
Operations partially resumed Monday afternoon, but authorities warned of ongoing delays and disruptions as investigations continue.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a full investigation into:
- Air traffic control coordination
- Runway safety procedures
- The movements of the emergency vehicle
Early inquiries are focused on how both the aircraft and the fire truck ended up on the same runway simultaneously.
