NEW YORK — A somber investigation is underway at LaGuardia Airport after a late-night collision between an Air Canada Express regional jet and a Port Authority firefighting vehicle left both pilots dead and dozens of passengers injured.
The incident occurred late Sunday night, forcing an immediate shutdown of one of the nation’s busiest travel hubs and triggering a massive emergency response.
Collision on the Runway
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, had just arrived from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members on board. According to flight tracking data, the plane touched down on Runway 4 at approximately 11:37 p.m. local time.
During post-landing runway operations, the jet struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle while traveling at roughly 24 miles per hour.
Casualties and Injuries
Authorities have confirmed the following details regarding the victims:
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Flight Crew: Both the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the impact.
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Ground Crew: Two Port Authority police officers inside the fire truck—a sergeant and an officer—suffered broken limbs. Both are currently in stable condition at a local hospital.
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Passengers: Dozens of passengers sustained various injuries during the collision, though the exact severity of all injuries remains under confirmation.
Operational Impact and Damage
The aftermath of the crash saw significant structural damage to the aircraft. Early photos from the scene show the nose of the CRJ-900 heavily damaged and tilted upward.
In response to the tragedy:
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Ground Stop: The FAA immediately closed LaGuardia to all incoming traffic.
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Diverted Flights: At least 18 flights were forced to divert to neighboring airports or return to their cities of origin.
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Investigation: Federal authorities and local police have cordoned off the site to determine how the firefighting vehicle and the landing aircraft ended up in the same path.
