LaGuardia Airport was shut down for hours after a deadly collision between a passenger jet and a fire truck on a runway late Sunday, authorities said.
The crash killed two pilots and injured dozens of others, sending shockwaves through one of the nation’s busiest air hubs. The airport halted operations overnight and into Monday morning as emergency crews responded and investigators began their work.
Officials said the aircraft, an Air Canada Express regional jet arriving from Montreal, struck a Port Authority fire truck shortly after landing.
There were 72 passengers and four crew members aboard the plane at the time of the collision.
Crash Details and Immediate Response
The impact crushed the front of the aircraft and left the fire truck overturned near the runway, according to officials briefed on the scene. Emergency responders rushed to evacuate passengers and treat the injured.
At least 40 people, including passengers and crew, were taken to nearby hospitals. Some suffered serious injuries, though most were later released.
Two firefighters aboard the truck were also hurt but are expected to survive, authorities said.
Air traffic control audio captured moments before the crash revealed urgency and confusion. A controller can be heard warning the vehicle repeatedly to stop.
“Stop, stop, stop,” the controller said, seconds before the collision, according to recordings reviewed by investigators.
The jet was traveling at a relatively low speed during landing, but the force of the crash caused catastrophic damage to the cockpit. Both the pilot and co-pilot were pronounced dead at the scene.
Transportation officials described the incident as a “horrific crash” and confirmed that federal investigators were deployed within hours.
Airport Shutdown and Ongoing Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop immediately after the crash, closing LaGuardia Airport and diverting incoming flights to nearby airports, including JFK and Newark.
Travelers faced widespread delays and cancellations as airlines worked to rebook passengers and restore schedules.
“LaGuardia Airport is now open, expect delays and/or cancellations,” airport officials said in a statement posted Monday.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials said cockpit voice recordings and air traffic communications will be critical to understanding what went wrong.
Preliminary information suggests the fire truck may have been cleared to cross the runway before being told to stop, though investigators have not reached a final conclusion.
Leaders in New York and Canada expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Officials called the loss of the pilots a profound tragedy and praised their service.
As the investigation continues, aviation experts say the incident raises serious questions about runway safety and coordination between ground vehicles and incoming aircraft.
Operations at LaGuardia have since resumed, but disruptions are expected to continue as authorities examine the crash site and review procedures.
