NEW YORK (AP) — A jet landing at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport collided with a fire truck on the runway, killing the pilot and copilot and injuring several others. Here’s what you need to know:
What happened?
The crash occurred around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday when an Air Canada regional jet arriving from Montreal struck an airport fire truck traveling across the runway to respond to a separate incident involving a concerning odor aboard another plane.
Audio recordings from the airport control tower indicate the truck was initially cleared to cross the runway before efforts were made to prevent the collision. The unnamed controller repeatedly instructed the vehicle to stop and diverted incoming aircraft from landing.
Photos and videos reveal the aftermath, showing the jet's nose crushed and tilted upward, debris hanging from the cockpit while emergency stairways were deployed.
Who was impacted?
The pilot and copilot were the only confirmed fatalities. Their names have not been released, but both were based in Canada, as stated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport.
Approximately 40 other passengers and crew members were sent to hospitals, with some sustaining severe injuries; most have since been released.
Two Port Authority employees in the fire truck also suffered injuries, though they are not expected to be life-threatening.
Impact on air travel
LaGuardia has been shut down following the crash and all air traffic diverted. The airport is expected to remain closed until at least 2 p.m. on Monday as efforts by investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board continue.
The incident coincides with ongoing travel frustrations as U.S. airports are managed under a government shutdown during the busy spring break season.
LaGuardia is a significant transit hub, ranking as the 19th busiest U.S. airport in 2024, as per the FAA.
Did the government shutdown contribute?
Identifying the causes of this tragic incident takes priority, but it highlights existing challenges faced by air traffic controllers. Despite being essential workers, controllers have been compelled to continue working without pay amid previous governmental funding crises. The partial government shutdown is now over a month in, resulting in long travel delays and heightened frustration among travelers nationwide.
