Two Pilots Killed, Dozens Injured as Air Canada Jet Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport
Two pilots were killed late Sunday night when an Air Canada Express regional jet struck a Port Authority fire truck on the runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, officials confirmed.
The collision forced the temporary closure of the airport and left dozens of passengers, crew members, and first responders injured.
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, Air Canada’s regional partner, was arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members on board. The impact occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m. local time on Runway 4, resulting in the deaths of the captain and first officer.
More than 39 passengers and crew, along with two firefighters in the vehicle, were hospitalized; at least some of them suffered serious injuries, though many have since been discharged.
How the Collision Happened
Federal investigators, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have been examining the sequence of events leading to the crash.
According to officials, the fire truck had been deployed in response to a separate incident—a rejected takeoff by a United Airlines flight. Air traffic control communications released after the crash reveal frantic attempts to stop the vehicle before the plane struck it.
Audio from the tower captures a controller repeatedly urging the truck to stop as the Air Canada jet approached: “Stop, Truck 1. Stop! Stop, stop, stop!” Despite these efforts, the aircraft struck the fire truck head-on, causing catastrophic damage to the plane’s nose.
At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest the collision was the result of sabotage, deliberate enmity, or malicious intent. Authorities indicate that the incident appears to have been a tragic combination of timing, human error, and procedural failure during emergency operations.
Eyewitness Accounts and Passenger Experiences
Passengers described chaotic conditions inside the aircraft during the collision. Jack Cabot, a passenger aboard the flight, said, “We came down really hard, and about two seconds later there was an absolute slam. Everybody was flying everywhere. The plane started veering left and right. It didn’t feel like anyone was in control of anything.”
A flight attendant, Solange Tremblay, survived despite being ejected from her seat during the crash. Her daughter, Sarah Lépine, described her mother’s survival as miraculous, noting that Tremblay suffered multiple fractures to her leg and remained in surgery.
Response and Investigation
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the families of the victims and support to those affected.
“Today is a very somber day for Air Canada,” he said. The airline has activated its Special Assistance Team and established a hotline for families seeking information.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the airport has reopened but is operating at reduced capacity while the investigation continues.
He emphasized that LaGuardia is considered a well-staffed airport, and noted ongoing efforts to modernize the air traffic control system with additional funding from Congress.
Authorities, including the NTSB and FAA, are reviewing the cockpit voice recorder and air traffic control recordings to determine how the jet and emergency vehicle ended up on the same runway. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association also confirmed its support for members affected by the incident.
International Response
Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, expressed their condolences and confirmed close cooperation with U.S. authorities in the ongoing investigation.
The crash has prompted a review of emergency procedures at LaGuardia and highlights the challenges of coordinating ground and air operations in high-traffic airports.
Summary: Two pilots were killed when an Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck during landing at LaGuardia Airport. The fire truck had been responding to a separate incident. Investigators are examining whether human error or procedural missteps caused the tragedy. No evidence suggests sabotage or deliberate harm.
