At least two people were killed and 13 others were hospitalized after an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York late Sunday night, according to ABC News. ABC reported that the two people who were killed were the pilot and co-pilot. The injured included 11 passengers and two first responders.
Jazz Aviation confirmed that Flight AC8646 was involved in an incident at LaGuardia at about 11:47 p.m. on March 22. Jazz Aviation operates flights for Air Canada Express. The company said the CRJ900 had been traveling from Montréal to New York and that a preliminary passenger list showed 72 passengers and four crew members on board, though that remained subject to confirmation.
Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft struck an Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle on Runway 4 after landing. The flight-tracking site said the jet was rolling down the runway when the emergency vehicle crossed the runway in front of it.
Flightradar24 also reported that air traffic control audio from LiveATC.net indicated the fire truck had been cleared to cross Runway 4 at taxiway D. The tower controller could be heard telling “Truck 1” to stop multiple times before additional emergency units were sent to the scene.
The same report said aircraft data showed the jet slowing gradually on the runway until it reached Taxiway E, when its ground speed dropped sharply and its track changed. Flightradar24’s report also said two people traveling in the fire truck were reported injured.
Due to the emergency, access to the airport was restricted. In a traffic advisory on X, NYPD News said all streets and highway exits into LaGuardia were closed until further notice and urged the public to expect delays and avoid the area if possible.
Jazz said further details would be released as soon as possible. Authorities had not provided additional information in the source material about the victims or the cause of the collision.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
