NEW YORK (TNND) — Two pilots were killed during a runway collision involving an Air Canada regional jet and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night.
The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. as the jet, operated by Jazz Aviation, was landing and struck the fire truck, resulting in fatalities for both the pilot and co-pilot. Authorities reported that approximately 40 individuals, including two firefighters, were transported to hospitals with various injuries. Most have since been released, though some sustained serious injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the collision, stating that a runway warning system had failed to provide an alert due to the fire truck's lack of a transponder. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy noted that multiple failures likely contributed to the incident, emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of operational protocols at the tower during the crash.
Data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered for analysis, as investigators focus on the circumstances leading to the fire truck's presence on the runway. Initial findings indicate the truck did not respond to urgent air traffic control warnings.
This crash marks the first fatal accident at LaGuardia Airport in over 30 years. The flight involved was traveling from Montreal to New York and contained 72 passengers and four crew members. The runway where the collision occurred remains closed, causing significant delays in flight operations.
Further investigations by the NTSB are ongoing to determine the full sequence of events.