Two pilots were killed and at least a dozen people were injured, including nine who were hospitalized, after an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a fire truck while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, authorities confirmed Monday, in a crash that shut down one of the United States’ busiest aviation hubs.
The collision occurred at about 11:45 p.m. local time Sunday, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who said both the captain and first officer “have passed away” and that several passengers and emergency personnel were injured.
Officials said the CRJ-900 aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada Express, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members after departing from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Canada.
A dramatic recording obtained and reviewed by Worthy News early Monday captured the final moments before the deadly collision, with an air traffic controller urgently attempting to stop a vehicle on the runway.
“Stop, stop, stop, stop. Truck one, stop, stop, stop. Stop, truck one. Stop. Stop, truck one. Stop,” the controller can be heard shouting in audio circulating in U.S. media.
Dramatic Final Moments Captured
However, it was too late.
“I see you’re colliding with a vehicle there,” the controller told the pilot. “Just hold position. I know you can’t move. Emergency vehicles are on the way.”
It was unclear whether the warning was heard. The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash.
Authorities said the aircraft struck a firefighting vehicle that had been responding to a separate emergency involving another plane reporting an odor on board.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said two employees traveling in the fire truck were injured.
Runway Collision Investigation
At least nine people were hospitalized, officials confirmed, while images showed the aircraft’s nose heavily damaged and the emergency vehicle overturned.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched a probe into the incident.
The collision forced the closure of LaGuardia Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States, handling more than 16.7 million passengers in 2024.
The shutdown triggered widespread disruption, with at least 18 flights diverted to other airports or returned to their origin, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.
Airport Shutdown And Disruption
Passengers described confusion and fear in the aftermath, with some saying they witnessed the collision or its immediate impact from the runway.
The crash is expected to raise further questions about runway safety procedures and coordination between air traffic control and ground emergency crews at major international airports.
Officials cautioned that it remains too early to determine the exact cause of the collision.
Separately, nearby Newark Liberty International Airport was also disrupted Monday after reports of smoke near the control tower, prompting a temporary ground stop, U.S. officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said departures were halted until at least 8:30 a.m. local time Monday, with a possibility of extension.
Newark Incident Adds To Chaos
This added pressure to an already strained New York-area air traffic system.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a full investigation.
Air Canada said it was aware of the incident and referred further questions to Jazz Aviation.
Authorities warned travelers to expect continued delays, cancellations and disruptions across the New York metropolitan area.
