A late-night collision between a passenger plane and a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has left two pilots dead and several others injured, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The aircraft, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, had flown in from Montreal as flight AC8646 when it crashed into a Port Authority firefighting vehicle on the runway at about 11:45 p.m. Sunday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said both pilots onboard the aircraft died from injuries sustained in the impact, while more than a dozen passengers were hurt. At least two firefighters were also reported to have suffered serious injuries.
Emergency teams responded swiftly to the scene, where images showed the front section of the plane badly damaged. Initial findings indicate the aircraft was taxiing when it struck the fire truck, which was crossing the runway while responding to another incident.
Authorities immediately suspended flight operations at LaGuardia to allow rescue efforts and an investigation into the crash. Officials said the airport would remain closed until at least 2 p.m. as investigators examine the site.
The Federal Aviation Administration has deployed personnel to assist the National Transportation Safety Board in determining the cause of the accident.
Travelers have been warned to expect significant disruptions, including cancelled flights and traffic delays around the airport, as emergency operations continue.
LaGuardia Airport, located in Queens, is one of the busiest in the United States, serving more than 33 million passengers in 2024 following a major redevelopment.
The incident adds to growing concerns over aviation safety in the U.S., particularly involving ground operations at major airports, after a string of recent accidents and near misses.
Leave a Reply