Two pilots died, and around 41 others have been injured following a collision between a passenger aircraft and a firetruck in New York. The devastating incident occurred at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday night and triggered a major shutdown of one of the busiest airports in the United States.
The crash involved an Air Canada Express-operated CRJ aircraft that had just arrived at the airport from Montreal, Canada. It collided with a Port Authority fire truck that was on the runway at the time. Authorities say the plane had landed around 11:40 p.m. and was moving along the runway when it struck the vehicle.
Initial reports indicate the aircraft was travelling at the relatively low speed of 24mph when the collision occurred, but the impact caused significant damage to the front of the plane.
There were about 72 passengers and 4 crew members on board the flight. Officials confirmed that 41 individuals were taken to the hospital following the incident, including passengers and 2 emergency responders who were in the fire truck. Reports say 32 have since been treated and released, while others remain under medical care for serious injuries. The pilot and co-pilot onboard the aircraft were pronounced dead.
According to aviation authorities, the fire truck had been granted permission to cross the runway moments before the crash. The vehicle was reportedly responding to a separate situation involving another aircraft, where a pilot had raised concerns about an unusual odour.
Air traffic control audio captured before the incident reveals controllers directing the vehicle before repeatedly instructing the fire truck to remain in position.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop, halting all incoming and outgoing flights at LaGuardia Airport. The facility remained closed for several hours as investigators assessed the scene and began examining what led to the collision.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has since confirmed that a full investigation is underway, with federal agencies expected to review runway procedures, communication protocols, and the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
The incident caused widespread disruption, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled and passengers left stranded as operations were suspended.
