NEW YORK (TNND) — A collision between an Air Canada regional jet and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport resulted in two fatalities late Sunday night.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot were killed, while approximately 40 others were injured. Witnesses reported that the aircraft was landing when it struck the fire truck on the runway.
Authorities indicated that the ASDE-X runway warning system failed to alert air traffic controllers due to the fire truck lacking a transponder. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy noted that the incident may involve multiple failures in the system.
About 40 individuals, including two firefighters from the truck, were transported to hospitals. While some sustained serious injuries, many were released by Monday morning.
The flight was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. Among the survivors, a flight attendant was ejected onto the tarmac, still strapped in her seat, while several passengers managed to escape.
The NTSB is examining why the fire truck was on the active runway and whether the air traffic controllers' workload contributed to the incident. Homendy mentioned that two controllers were present in the tower at the time but cautioned against speculating on their distractions.
Investigators recovered flight data and cockpit recorders for analysis and are focused on understanding the timeline and circumstances leading to the crash. This tragedy marks the first fatal accident at LaGuardia Airport in over 30 years.
Flights resumed on Monday, but the runway involved in the collision remains closed, causing delays for many travelers.