2 pilots dead after Air Canada plane collides with truck at LaGuardia airport
Tragedy at LaGuardia: Two Pilots Killed in Runway Collision
Sunday night’s incident at New York’s LaGuardia Airport left two pilots deceased and multiple individuals with injuries after an Air Canada aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway. The collision involved Air Canada Flight 8646, which had just landed with 72 passengers and four crew members, and a Port Authority fire-rescue vehicle responding to a separate issue on a United Airlines flight.
Collision and Initial Response
The accident occurred around 11:40 p.m. as the plane, a Bombardier CRJ-900 twin-jet operated by Air Canada Express (Jazz Aviation), was coming to a stop following its landing. According to preliminary reports, the vehicle was moving at approximately 30 mph when the collision happened. A video shared online shows the passenger jet with its cockpit elevated and the front fuselage damaged.
“I messed up,” one air traffic controller is heard saying on the recording.
Air traffic control audio reveals a controller initially allowed the truck to cross the runway before instructing it to halt. The Port Authority’s Executive Director, Kathryn Garcia, stated that the truck was addressing an unrelated odor report on a United flight. She noted that flight attendants on that flight had reported feeling ill due to the smell.
Injuries and Evacuation
Of the 76 individuals onboard, 41 were treated for injuries at local hospitals, some of whom sustained serious wounds. As of Monday, 32 had been released, with two officers—identified as a sergeant and an officer—suffering broken limbs but in stable condition, as confirmed by sources familiar with the investigation.
Families were advised to contact Air Canada for reunification efforts, as some passengers became separated during the evacuation. An unaccompanied minor was successfully reconnected with their relatives, Garcia added.
Investigation and Airport Closure
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy announced his intention to visit LaGuardia and highlighted that the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and Port Authority are conducting a joint inquiry. Duffy mentioned the FAA is examining potential staffing issues in air traffic control as part of the investigation.
LaGuardia Airport remains closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday, disrupting regional travel. New York Governor Kathy Hochul described the event as “heartbreaking news” in a Monday X post, expressing condolences to the victims and their families.
Additional Disruptions
Transport delays worsened Monday after a ground stop was implemented at Newark International Airport due to an FAA tower evacuation linked to smoke in an elevator. The FAA confirmed the aircraft involved in the LaGuardia incident was operated by Air Canada Express from Montreal.
The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a “go team” to the scene and plans to send an investigative unit later. Meanwhile, the NYPD urged people to steer clear of the area surrounding the airport and warned of local disruptions, with all streets and exits closed.
Jonathan Dienst, chief justice contributor for NBC News and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV, along with Jay Blackman and Dennis Romero, contributed to the report. Tom Costello, an NBC News correspondent in Washington, D.C., provided additional coverage.
