LA GUARDIA AIRPORT CRASH KILLS CREW, INJURES OTHERS
A deadly collision occurred at LaGuardia Airport on October 24, 2023, when an Air Canada regional jet struck a Port Authority fire truck.
Authorities said the fire truck was responding to a United Airlines flight that had declared an emergency due to an odor in the cabin. The aircraft had aborted two takeoff attempts and requested emergency assistance while attempting to return to the gate.
At 11:40 p.m., the Air Canada jet was landing when it collided with the fire truck, resulting in the deaths of both the pilot and co-pilot. Numerous passengers on the jet sustained injuries. The fire truck had been cleared to cross Runway 4 but was given a stop order moments before the incident, according to air traffic control audio.
Following the crash, LaGuardia Airport was temporarily closed, with no flights permitted in or out. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, including why the fire truck was authorized to cross the runway while the aircraft was approaching.
Emergency response teams from the Port Authority and local medical services attended to the injured parties at the scene. Further details on the injured passengers have yet to be released.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Canadian authorities joining in due to the involvement of the Air Canada jet.