NEW YORK (TNND) — A collision between an Air Canada Jazz regional jet and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries shortly after midnight on March 22.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the jet was landing on Runway 4 when it struck a moving Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle. Both the captain and first officer were pronounced dead at the scene, while 39 individuals, including six with serious injuries, were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Initial findings indicate that air traffic control cleared the flight for landing while multiple emergency vehicles responded to a separate incident on the airfield. An ARFF vehicle, referred to as “Truck 1,” had been granted permission to cross the runway but was later warned to stop just as the aircraft touched down.
Authorities confirmed the jet was traveling over 100 mph upon impact. The truck's crew reported confusion over radio communications, failing to promptly recognize that the stop command was directed at them.
The investigation has highlighted potential safety gaps, noting that the airport's surface radar system, which should alert about runway conflicts, did not function correctly due to the emergency vehicles lacking transponders. Runway warning lights activated before the incident but turned off seconds prior to the crash.
The cockpit voice and flight data recorders have been recovered and are being analyzed for further insights into the events leading up to the collision. Investigators are also examining human factors, such as air traffic controller workload and communication breakdowns.
The NTSB stated the investigation is ongoing, with further analyses expected to address runway safety protocols and coordination between aircraft and ground vehicles during emergencies.