NEW YORK — A deadly LaGuardia crash involving an Air Canada-operated passenger jet and a Port Authority fire truck has left two pilots dead, injured 41 people, and triggered a major airport shutdown that disrupted travel across the U.S. Northeast.
The collision occurred around 11:40 p.m. Sunday when a Jazz Aviation flight operating as Air Canada Express struck an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle on the runway, according to Port Authority officials. The aircraft had 72 passengers and four crew members on board.
Authorities confirmed the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the impact, while dozens of passengers, crew, and emergency personnel sustained injuries. Officials said 41 people were taken to hospitals, with 32 later released, and others reported to be seriously injured.
Airport shutdown triggers widespread disruption
The LaGuardia crash forced the immediate closure of the airport, halting all arrivals and departures until at least 2 p.m. Monday, with officials warning the shutdown could be extended.
The disruption quickly spread beyond New York, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling for alternatives. Some travelers were forced to reroute through other cities, including Philadelphia, more than 100 miles away.
One passenger, Alyssa Benaventi, told reporters she was unable to even enter the airport after arriving for her flight, describing widespread confusion among travelers.
“All the exits to get to the airport were closed,” she said. “There was just a lot of confused other passengers.”
Authorities later reopened road access to the airport, but warned of continued delays in the surrounding area.
Investigation focuses on runway clearance breakdown
Preliminary information indicates both the aircraft and the fire truck may have had clearance to operate on the runway at the time of the crash, raising concerns about a potential communication breakdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board in investigating the incident. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed federal support for the probe, describing the crash as a “ground collision” and extending condolences to affected families.
Aviation analysts noted that such incidents are rare, particularly those resulting in fatalities. Early assessments suggest the aircraft itself did not experience mechanical failure, pointing instead to a possible operational error involving air traffic control, the flight crew, or ground personnel.
Emergency response and passenger evacuation
The fire truck involved in the collision was responding to an unrelated report of an odor on a separate United Airlines flight when it was struck.
Despite the severity of the crash, emergency responders were able to evacuate passengers after determining the aircraft’s engines were off. Officials said responders accessed the rear exit and guided passengers to safety.
In a striking detail from the scene, a flight attendant was found outside the aircraft still strapped into her jumpseat after the impact, according to sources familiar with the response.
Two officers inside the fire truck were also injured but survived, with officials confirming their injuries were not life-threatening.
Ongoing support and safety concerns
Air Canada has activated a helpline for families and friends seeking information about passengers on Flight AC8646, as officials continue to notify next of kin.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about runway safety and coordination between aircraft and ground vehicles at major airports, particularly during nighttime operations.
The collision has also renewed scrutiny of transportation safety in the New York area after other fatal incidents, including the New York helicopter crash kills six in Hudson River disaster.
Investigators are expected to review air traffic control communications, vehicle movements, and operational protocols to determine how the collision occurred.
For travelers and aviation authorities alike, the LaGuardia crash underscores the potentially severe consequences of even rare ground incidents, as one of the nation’s busiest airports remains partially shut down and under investigation.
