2 pilots dead after Air Canada plane collides with truck at LaGuardia airport
Two Pilots Killed in Air Canada Plane-Truck Collision at LaGuardia Airport
On Sunday night, a tragic incident unfolded at New York’s LaGuardia Airport when an arriving Air Canada plane collided with a fire truck on the runway, resulting in the deaths of two pilots and injuries to dozens of others. The crash involved Air Canada Flight 8646, which had just landed with 72 passengers and four crew members aboard, and a Port Authority fire-rescue vehicle responding to a separate issue on a United Airlines flight.
According to air traffic control audio recordings, a controller initially allowed the vehicle to cross the runway before instructing it to halt. One controller is heard saying,
“I messed up.”
The recordings capture the moment of confusion leading to the collision. The truck, en route to address an unrelated odor report, was in the process of navigating the tarmac when the incident occurred around 11:40 p.m.
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia confirmed that 41 individuals were treated for injuries at local hospitals, with some suffering serious conditions. As of Monday, 32 of the injured had been released, though two officers and a sergeant sustained broken limbs and remain in stable condition. Garcia described the injuries as non-life-threatening, citing preliminary information from sources.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Bombardier CRJ-900 twin-jet operated by Air Canada Express, also known as Jazz Aviation, from Montreal. The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a “go team” to the scene and will send a full investigative unit to examine the event. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced his intention to visit LaGuardia Airport to oversee the inquiry, emphasizing the FAA’s focus on potential staffing issues in air traffic control.
LaGuardia’s Runway 4 remains closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday, causing regional travel disruptions. New York Governor Kathy Hochul shared the grim update on X, stating,
“Heartbreaking news out of LaGuardia this morning.”
She expressed solidarity with the victims and those affected by the tragedy.
Meanwhile, a brief ground stop at Newark International Airport in New Jersey added to the chaos after an FAA tower evacuation due to smoke in an elevator. The NYPD urged residents to avoid the area surrounding LaGuardia and anticipate local disruptions, as all streets and airport exits were temporarily closed.
Families were directed to Air Canada to locate missing loved ones during the evacuation, with one unaccompanied minor successfully reunited with their relatives. The incident has become the latest in a series of challenges for the aviation sector, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
