East Elmhurst, Queens
Investigation After Pilots Killed, Dozens Injured After Air Canada Plane Crashes Into Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport
Reported · Updated · 2.8M Notified · 4.3M Viewed
Summary
Two pilots were killed after an Air Canada regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in Queens around 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, was arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members on board.
The fire truck was responding to an unrelated report of an odor on another aircraft and had been cleared to cross the runway when the collision occurred.
At least 41 people, including passengers, crew, and at least two firefighters, were hospitalized, some with serious injuries. Most have since been treated and released. A flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft during the impact but was found alive.
The pilot and co-pilot have been identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, respectively.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has mobilized dozens of team members as it launches its investigation into the fatal collision. The "black boxes" have been recovered.
Documents obtained by investigators show LaGuardia controller staffing the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures.
Two pilots were killed after an Air Canada regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in Queens around 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, was arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members on board.
The fire truck was responding to an unrelated report of an odor on another aircraft and had been cleared to cross the runway when the collision occurred.
At least 41 people, including passengers, crew, and at least two firefighters, were hospitalized, some with serious injuries. Most have since been treated and released. A flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft during the impact but was found alive.
The pilot and co-pilot have been identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, respectively.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has mobilized dozens of team members as it launches its investigation into the fatal collision. The "black boxes" have been recovered.
Documents obtained by investigators show LaGuardia controller staffing the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures.
Two pilots were killed after an Air Canada regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in Queens around 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, was arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members on board.
The fire truck was responding to an unrelated report of an odor on another aircraft and had been cleared to cross the runway when the collision occurred.
At least 41 people, including passengers, crew, and at least two firefighters, were hospitalized, some with serious injuries. Most have since been treated and released. A flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft during the impact but was found alive.
The pilot and co-pilot have been identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, respectively.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has mobilized dozens of team members as it launches its investigation into the fatal collision. The "black boxes" have been recovered.
Documents obtained by investigators show LaGuardia controller staffing the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures.
Two pilots were killed after an Air Canada regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in Queens around 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, was arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members on board.
The fire truck was responding to an unrelated report of an odor on another aircraft and had been cleared to cross the runway when the collision occurred.
At least 41 people, including passengers, crew, and at least two firefighters, were hospitalized, some with serious injuries. Most have since been treated and released. A flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft during the impact but was found alive.
The pilot and co-pilot have been identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, respectively.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has mobilized dozens of team members as it launches its investigation into the fatal collision. The "black boxes" have been recovered.
Documents obtained by investigators show LaGuardia controller staffing the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures.
Two pilots were killed after an Air Canada regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in Queens around 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, was arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members on board.
The fire truck was responding to an unrelated report of an odor on another aircraft and had been cleared to cross the runway when the collision occurred.
At least 41 people, including passengers, crew, and at least two firefighters, were hospitalized, some with serious injuries. Most have since been treated and released. A flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft during the impact but was found alive.
The pilot and co-pilot have been identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, respectively.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has mobilized dozens of team members as it launches its investigation into the fatal collision. The "black boxes" have been recovered.
Documents obtained by investigators show LaGuardia controller staffing the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures.
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In addition to the previously reported staffing violation, radio recordings show that the controller was overseeing six aircraft in the minute prior to the collision.
NTSB investigators are now examining whether a controller physically stepped away from his console to use an emergency phone not within arm's reach of the workstation, per local news reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also noted conflicting information in the control tower's logs that investigators need to verify.
Specifically, the local and ground controller positions were combined before midnight, but LaGuardia SOPs state those positions should not have been combined until midnight at the earliest.
Documents obtained by investigators indicate that LaGuardia controller staffing on the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures, per CBC and Claims Journal.
NTSB found no single point of failure. Investigators describe it as "overlapping failures." The full report is expected to take up to a year.
The ASDE-X runway safety system never alerted because the fire truck had no transponder, making its exact position invisible to controllers.
Per news sources, the ATC tower was understaffed — one controller simultaneously handled multiple roles including clearance delivery.
Runway 4/22 has reopened and operations are beginning to return to normal. Investigators are continuing to build a timeline of the events leading up to the collision.
Most injured passengers have now been released from hospitals following the collision, with only four people remaining admitted. The airline says it will begin returning passengers’ baggage and personal belongings in the coming days.
Crews have begun removing the wreckage of the Air Canada plane from the runway at LaGuardia Airport, towing the damaged aircraft and repositioning the overturned fire truck as cleanup operations get underway. The plane will be moved to a hangar as investigators continue examining the crash.
The NTSB confirmed that the flight's cockpit voice recorder and cockpit data recorder, or "black boxes", were retrieved, and were immediately sent to Washington, D.C. to be reviewed.
The co-pilot who was killed in the Sunday night plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Mackenzie Gunther, according to the New York Post.
One of the pilots killed has been identified as Antoine Forest from Coteau-du-Lac. The flight attendant found alive after being ejected from the plane has been identified as Solange Tremblay. Tremblay reportedly suffered multiple fractures, including a broken leg.
Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice and data recorders by cutting into the plane’s tail, and say a large debris field spans the runway and taxiway as a team of about 25 investigators begins examining surveillance and flight data.
According to federal officials, air traffic control audio captured a controller urgently telling the fire truck to stop just before the collision. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said reports of only one controller on duty are false, noting the tower had 33 certified controllers and seven trainees.
Officials say the plane was traveling about 100 mph when it collided with a fire-rescue vehicle after air traffic control cleared the truck to cross the runway, then told it to stop.
New York City Mayor Mamdani said, “We know the crash will shake New Yorkers across the five boroughs.”
The fatal crash was the first in 34 years at LaGuardia Airport, according to Kathryn Garcia, the Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Bryan Bedford, an official with the Federal Aviation Administration, said there were moderate winds and rainy conditions last night.
LaGuardia Airport is operating with reduced capacity as the runway where the collision occurred remains an active scene.
Speaking at a press conference, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the two pilots were killed in the collision. Two individuals who were in the fire truck remain hospitalized.
In a video message, Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau said, “We are working with authorities to confirm the number of injuries and if there are any other fatalities."
Officials are holding a briefing at LaGuardia Airport. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to attend.
LaGuardia Airport is on track to reopen at 2:00 EST. In a post on X, the airport said, "As operations resume, travelers should expect residual delays and cancellations. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check with their carrier before departing for the airport."
The Port Authority fire truck that was struck was responding to a report of an unrelated report of an "odor" on a United Airlines plane at the airport.
Hundreds of flights at LaGuardia Airport have been cancelled, and others have been diverted to surrounding airports including JFK International Airport, also in Queens, and Newark International Airport in New Jersey.
The collision involved a Jazz Aviation flight operated on behalf of Air Canada. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash, per the New York Times.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) personnel are responding to LaGuardia Airport to conduct an investigation.
Officials have advised that LaGuardia Airport will be closed to all flights through 2 pm. Monday afternoon.
The NYPD has closed all airport exits and entrances on connecting streets while the emergency response continues at LaGuardia Airport.
A report from NBC News states the pilot and co-pilot were killed.
Additional emergency units are responding to assist at the airport incident.
All passengers have been removed from the plane and are currently on Port Authority buses to be evaluated.
Responders have categorized one patient as serious, two as moderate, and 67 as minor injuries.
Responders are diverting critically injured individuals to other trauma centers for treatment.
An update from the responders command post has confirmed two people have been pronounced dead at the scene, while at least three are critically injured.
Responders say that one civilian is dead, while at least two Port Authority firefighters are confirmed hurt—one critically injured and another moderately injured. They are working to tally up other injuries.
Firefighters advised that additional transport vehicles are being coordinated to assist with moving injured individuals from the tarmac.
Firefighters advised that a critically injured patient has been transported to a hospital for treatment. They are requesting an update on their status.
LaGuardia Airport is closed indefinitely, per the FAA.
A rescue team confirms the plane collided with an airport crash truck, resulting in "numerous" injuries.
Responders are setting up a triage area to assess and treat injuries on the other side of the runway.
Radio clips available.
FDNY personnel on scene say that four PAPD firefighters have been critically injured, while there are 100 people on board the Air Canada plane that could potentially require medical attention.
It is unclear if the aircraft had completely landed before the collision.
Responders have assessed that the aircraft struck a vehicle, with multiple injuries reported.
The aircraft was reported to be an Air Canada CRJ900.
Firefighters are also responding to the scene.
Police have received a report of a plane that crash-landed with damage to its front at LaGuardia Airport.
A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at LaGuardia Rd & Grand Central Parkway Service Rd.
In addition to the previously reported staffing violation, radio recordings show that the controller was overseeing six aircraft in the minute prior to the collision.
NTSB investigators are now examining whether a controller physically stepped away from his console to use an emergency phone not within arm's reach of the workstation, per local news reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also noted conflicting information in the control tower's logs that investigators need to verify.
Specifically, the local and ground controller positions were combined before midnight, but LaGuardia SOPs state those positions should not have been combined until midnight at the earliest.
Documents obtained by investigators indicate that LaGuardia controller staffing on the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures, per CBC and Claims Journal.
NTSB found no single point of failure. Investigators describe it as "overlapping failures." The full report is expected to take up to a year.
The ASDE-X runway safety system never alerted because the fire truck had no transponder, making its exact position invisible to controllers.
Per news sources, the ATC tower was understaffed — one controller simultaneously handled multiple roles including clearance delivery.
Runway 4/22 has reopened and operations are beginning to return to normal. Investigators are continuing to build a timeline of the events leading up to the collision.
Most injured passengers have now been released from hospitals following the collision, with only four people remaining admitted. The airline says it will begin returning passengers’ baggage and personal belongings in the coming days.
Crews have begun removing the wreckage of the Air Canada plane from the runway at LaGuardia Airport, towing the damaged aircraft and repositioning the overturned fire truck as cleanup operations get underway. The plane will be moved to a hangar as investigators continue examining the crash.
The NTSB confirmed that the flight's cockpit voice recorder and cockpit data recorder, or "black boxes", were retrieved, and were immediately sent to Washington, D.C. to be reviewed.
The co-pilot who was killed in the Sunday night plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Mackenzie Gunther, according to the New York Post.
One of the pilots killed has been identified as Antoine Forest from Coteau-du-Lac. The flight attendant found alive after being ejected from the plane has been identified as Solange Tremblay. Tremblay reportedly suffered multiple fractures, including a broken leg.
Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice and data recorders by cutting into the plane’s tail, and say a large debris field spans the runway and taxiway as a team of about 25 investigators begins examining surveillance and flight data.
According to federal officials, air traffic control audio captured a controller urgently telling the fire truck to stop just before the collision. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said reports of only one controller on duty are false, noting the tower had 33 certified controllers and seven trainees.
Officials say the plane was traveling about 100 mph when it collided with a fire-rescue vehicle after air traffic control cleared the truck to cross the runway, then told it to stop.
New York City Mayor Mamdani said, “We know the crash will shake New Yorkers across the five boroughs.”
The fatal crash was the first in 34 years at LaGuardia Airport, according to Kathryn Garcia, the Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Bryan Bedford, an official with the Federal Aviation Administration, said there were moderate winds and rainy conditions last night.
LaGuardia Airport is operating with reduced capacity as the runway where the collision occurred remains an active scene.
Speaking at a press conference, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the two pilots were killed in the collision. Two individuals who were in the fire truck remain hospitalized.
In a video message, Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau said, “We are working with authorities to confirm the number of injuries and if there are any other fatalities."
Officials are holding a briefing at LaGuardia Airport. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to attend.
LaGuardia Airport is on track to reopen at 2:00 EST. In a post on X, the airport said, "As operations resume, travelers should expect residual delays and cancellations. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check with their carrier before departing for the airport."
The Port Authority fire truck that was struck was responding to a report of an unrelated report of an "odor" on a United Airlines plane at the airport.
Hundreds of flights at LaGuardia Airport have been cancelled, and others have been diverted to surrounding airports including JFK International Airport, also in Queens, and Newark International Airport in New Jersey.
The collision involved a Jazz Aviation flight operated on behalf of Air Canada. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash, per the New York Times.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) personnel are responding to LaGuardia Airport to conduct an investigation.
Officials have advised that LaGuardia Airport will be closed to all flights through 2 pm. Monday afternoon.
The NYPD has closed all airport exits and entrances on connecting streets while the emergency response continues at LaGuardia Airport.
A report from NBC News states the pilot and co-pilot were killed.
Additional emergency units are responding to assist at the airport incident.
All passengers have been removed from the plane and are currently on Port Authority buses to be evaluated.
Responders have categorized one patient as serious, two as moderate, and 67 as minor injuries.
Responders are diverting critically injured individuals to other trauma centers for treatment.
An update from the responders command post has confirmed two people have been pronounced dead at the scene, while at least three are critically injured.
Responders say that one civilian is dead, while at least two Port Authority firefighters are confirmed hurt—one critically injured and another moderately injured. They are working to tally up other injuries.
Firefighters advised that additional transport vehicles are being coordinated to assist with moving injured individuals from the tarmac.
Firefighters advised that a critically injured patient has been transported to a hospital for treatment. They are requesting an update on their status.
LaGuardia Airport is closed indefinitely, per the FAA.
A rescue team confirms the plane collided with an airport crash truck, resulting in "numerous" injuries.
Responders are setting up a triage area to assess and treat injuries on the other side of the runway.
Radio clips available.
FDNY personnel on scene say that four PAPD firefighters have been critically injured, while there are 100 people on board the Air Canada plane that could potentially require medical attention.
It is unclear if the aircraft had completely landed before the collision.
Responders have assessed that the aircraft struck a vehicle, with multiple injuries reported.
The aircraft was reported to be an Air Canada CRJ900.
Firefighters are also responding to the scene.
Police have received a report of a plane that crash-landed with damage to its front at LaGuardia Airport.
A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at LaGuardia Rd & Grand Central Parkway Service Rd.
In addition to the previously reported staffing violation, radio recordings show that the controller was overseeing six aircraft in the minute prior to the collision.
NTSB investigators are now examining whether a controller physically stepped away from his console to use an emergency phone not within arm's reach of the workstation, per local news reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also noted conflicting information in the control tower's logs that investigators need to verify.
Specifically, the local and ground controller positions were combined before midnight, but LaGuardia SOPs state those positions should not have been combined until midnight at the earliest.
Documents obtained by investigators indicate that LaGuardia controller staffing on the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures, per CBC and Claims Journal.
NTSB found no single point of failure. Investigators describe it as "overlapping failures." The full report is expected to take up to a year.
The ASDE-X runway safety system never alerted because the fire truck had no transponder, making its exact position invisible to controllers.
Per news sources, the ATC tower was understaffed — one controller simultaneously handled multiple roles including clearance delivery.
Runway 4/22 has reopened and operations are beginning to return to normal. Investigators are continuing to build a timeline of the events leading up to the collision.
Most injured passengers have now been released from hospitals following the collision, with only four people remaining admitted. The airline says it will begin returning passengers’ baggage and personal belongings in the coming days.
Crews have begun removing the wreckage of the Air Canada plane from the runway at LaGuardia Airport, towing the damaged aircraft and repositioning the overturned fire truck as cleanup operations get underway. The plane will be moved to a hangar as investigators continue examining the crash.
The NTSB confirmed that the flight's cockpit voice recorder and cockpit data recorder, or "black boxes", were retrieved, and were immediately sent to Washington, D.C. to be reviewed.
The co-pilot who was killed in the Sunday night plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Mackenzie Gunther, according to the New York Post.
One of the pilots killed has been identified as Antoine Forest from Coteau-du-Lac. The flight attendant found alive after being ejected from the plane has been identified as Solange Tremblay. Tremblay reportedly suffered multiple fractures, including a broken leg.
Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice and data recorders by cutting into the plane’s tail, and say a large debris field spans the runway and taxiway as a team of about 25 investigators begins examining surveillance and flight data.
According to federal officials, air traffic control audio captured a controller urgently telling the fire truck to stop just before the collision. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said reports of only one controller on duty are false, noting the tower had 33 certified controllers and seven trainees.
Officials say the plane was traveling about 100 mph when it collided with a fire-rescue vehicle after air traffic control cleared the truck to cross the runway, then told it to stop.
New York City Mayor Mamdani said, “We know the crash will shake New Yorkers across the five boroughs.”
The fatal crash was the first in 34 years at LaGuardia Airport, according to Kathryn Garcia, the Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Bryan Bedford, an official with the Federal Aviation Administration, said there were moderate winds and rainy conditions last night.
LaGuardia Airport is operating with reduced capacity as the runway where the collision occurred remains an active scene.
Speaking at a press conference, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the two pilots were killed in the collision. Two individuals who were in the fire truck remain hospitalized.
In a video message, Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau said, “We are working with authorities to confirm the number of injuries and if there are any other fatalities."
Officials are holding a briefing at LaGuardia Airport. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to attend.
LaGuardia Airport is on track to reopen at 2:00 EST. In a post on X, the airport said, "As operations resume, travelers should expect residual delays and cancellations. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check with their carrier before departing for the airport."
The Port Authority fire truck that was struck was responding to a report of an unrelated report of an "odor" on a United Airlines plane at the airport.
Hundreds of flights at LaGuardia Airport have been cancelled, and others have been diverted to surrounding airports including JFK International Airport, also in Queens, and Newark International Airport in New Jersey.
The collision involved a Jazz Aviation flight operated on behalf of Air Canada. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash, per the New York Times.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) personnel are responding to LaGuardia Airport to conduct an investigation.
Officials have advised that LaGuardia Airport will be closed to all flights through 2 pm. Monday afternoon.
The NYPD has closed all airport exits and entrances on connecting streets while the emergency response continues at LaGuardia Airport.
A report from NBC News states the pilot and co-pilot were killed.
Additional emergency units are responding to assist at the airport incident.
All passengers have been removed from the plane and are currently on Port Authority buses to be evaluated.
Responders have categorized one patient as serious, two as moderate, and 67 as minor injuries.
Responders are diverting critically injured individuals to other trauma centers for treatment.
An update from the responders command post has confirmed two people have been pronounced dead at the scene, while at least three are critically injured.
Responders say that one civilian is dead, while at least two Port Authority firefighters are confirmed hurt—one critically injured and another moderately injured. They are working to tally up other injuries.
Firefighters advised that additional transport vehicles are being coordinated to assist with moving injured individuals from the tarmac.
Firefighters advised that a critically injured patient has been transported to a hospital for treatment. They are requesting an update on their status.
LaGuardia Airport is closed indefinitely, per the FAA.
A rescue team confirms the plane collided with an airport crash truck, resulting in "numerous" injuries.
Responders are setting up a triage area to assess and treat injuries on the other side of the runway.
Radio clips available.
FDNY personnel on scene say that four PAPD firefighters have been critically injured, while there are 100 people on board the Air Canada plane that could potentially require medical attention.
It is unclear if the aircraft had completely landed before the collision.
Responders have assessed that the aircraft struck a vehicle, with multiple injuries reported.
The aircraft was reported to be an Air Canada CRJ900.
Firefighters are also responding to the scene.
Police have received a report of a plane that crash-landed with damage to its front at LaGuardia Airport.
A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at LaGuardia Rd & Grand Central Parkway Service Rd.
In addition to the previously reported staffing violation, radio recordings show that the controller was overseeing six aircraft in the minute prior to the collision.
NTSB investigators are now examining whether a controller physically stepped away from his console to use an emergency phone not within arm's reach of the workstation, per local news reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also noted conflicting information in the control tower's logs that investigators need to verify.
Specifically, the local and ground controller positions were combined before midnight, but LaGuardia SOPs state those positions should not have been combined until midnight at the earliest.
Documents obtained by investigators indicate that LaGuardia controller staffing on the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures, per CBC and Claims Journal.
NTSB found no single point of failure. Investigators describe it as "overlapping failures." The full report is expected to take up to a year.
The ASDE-X runway safety system never alerted because the fire truck had no transponder, making its exact position invisible to controllers.
Per news sources, the ATC tower was understaffed — one controller simultaneously handled multiple roles including clearance delivery.
Runway 4/22 has reopened and operations are beginning to return to normal. Investigators are continuing to build a timeline of the events leading up to the collision.
Most injured passengers have now been released from hospitals following the collision, with only four people remaining admitted. The airline says it will begin returning passengers’ baggage and personal belongings in the coming days.
Crews have begun removing the wreckage of the Air Canada plane from the runway at LaGuardia Airport, towing the damaged aircraft and repositioning the overturned fire truck as cleanup operations get underway. The plane will be moved to a hangar as investigators continue examining the crash.
The NTSB confirmed that the flight's cockpit voice recorder and cockpit data recorder, or "black boxes", were retrieved, and were immediately sent to Washington, D.C. to be reviewed.
The co-pilot who was killed in the Sunday night plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Mackenzie Gunther, according to the New York Post.
One of the pilots killed has been identified as Antoine Forest from Coteau-du-Lac. The flight attendant found alive after being ejected from the plane has been identified as Solange Tremblay. Tremblay reportedly suffered multiple fractures, including a broken leg.
Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice and data recorders by cutting into the plane’s tail, and say a large debris field spans the runway and taxiway as a team of about 25 investigators begins examining surveillance and flight data.
According to federal officials, air traffic control audio captured a controller urgently telling the fire truck to stop just before the collision. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said reports of only one controller on duty are false, noting the tower had 33 certified controllers and seven trainees.
Officials say the plane was traveling about 100 mph when it collided with a fire-rescue vehicle after air traffic control cleared the truck to cross the runway, then told it to stop.
New York City Mayor Mamdani said, “We know the crash will shake New Yorkers across the five boroughs.”
The fatal crash was the first in 34 years at LaGuardia Airport, according to Kathryn Garcia, the Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Bryan Bedford, an official with the Federal Aviation Administration, said there were moderate winds and rainy conditions last night.
LaGuardia Airport is operating with reduced capacity as the runway where the collision occurred remains an active scene.
Speaking at a press conference, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the two pilots were killed in the collision. Two individuals who were in the fire truck remain hospitalized.
In a video message, Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau said, “We are working with authorities to confirm the number of injuries and if there are any other fatalities."
Officials are holding a briefing at LaGuardia Airport. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to attend.
LaGuardia Airport is on track to reopen at 2:00 EST. In a post on X, the airport said, "As operations resume, travelers should expect residual delays and cancellations. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check with their carrier before departing for the airport."
The Port Authority fire truck that was struck was responding to a report of an unrelated report of an "odor" on a United Airlines plane at the airport.
Hundreds of flights at LaGuardia Airport have been cancelled, and others have been diverted to surrounding airports including JFK International Airport, also in Queens, and Newark International Airport in New Jersey.
The collision involved a Jazz Aviation flight operated on behalf of Air Canada. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash, per the New York Times.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) personnel are responding to LaGuardia Airport to conduct an investigation.
Officials have advised that LaGuardia Airport will be closed to all flights through 2 pm. Monday afternoon.
The NYPD has closed all airport exits and entrances on connecting streets while the emergency response continues at LaGuardia Airport.
A report from NBC News states the pilot and co-pilot were killed.
Additional emergency units are responding to assist at the airport incident.
All passengers have been removed from the plane and are currently on Port Authority buses to be evaluated.
Responders have categorized one patient as serious, two as moderate, and 67 as minor injuries.
Responders are diverting critically injured individuals to other trauma centers for treatment.
An update from the responders command post has confirmed two people have been pronounced dead at the scene, while at least three are critically injured.
Responders say that one civilian is dead, while at least two Port Authority firefighters are confirmed hurt—one critically injured and another moderately injured. They are working to tally up other injuries.
Firefighters advised that additional transport vehicles are being coordinated to assist with moving injured individuals from the tarmac.
Firefighters advised that a critically injured patient has been transported to a hospital for treatment. They are requesting an update on their status.
LaGuardia Airport is closed indefinitely, per the FAA.
A rescue team confirms the plane collided with an airport crash truck, resulting in "numerous" injuries.
Responders are setting up a triage area to assess and treat injuries on the other side of the runway.
Radio clips available.
FDNY personnel on scene say that four PAPD firefighters have been critically injured, while there are 100 people on board the Air Canada plane that could potentially require medical attention.
It is unclear if the aircraft had completely landed before the collision.
Responders have assessed that the aircraft struck a vehicle, with multiple injuries reported.
The aircraft was reported to be an Air Canada CRJ900.
Firefighters are also responding to the scene.
Police have received a report of a plane that crash-landed with damage to its front at LaGuardia Airport.
A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at LaGuardia Rd & Grand Central Parkway Service Rd.
In addition to the previously reported staffing violation, radio recordings show that the controller was overseeing six aircraft in the minute prior to the collision.
NTSB investigators are now examining whether a controller physically stepped away from his console to use an emergency phone not within arm's reach of the workstation, per local news reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also noted conflicting information in the control tower's logs that investigators need to verify.
Specifically, the local and ground controller positions were combined before midnight, but LaGuardia SOPs state those positions should not have been combined until midnight at the earliest.
Documents obtained by investigators indicate that LaGuardia controller staffing on the night of the collision may have violated the airport's standard operating procedures, per CBC and Claims Journal.
NTSB found no single point of failure. Investigators describe it as "overlapping failures." The full report is expected to take up to a year.
The ASDE-X runway safety system never alerted because the fire truck had no transponder, making its exact position invisible to controllers.
Per news sources, the ATC tower was understaffed — one controller simultaneously handled multiple roles including clearance delivery.
Runway 4/22 has reopened and operations are beginning to return to normal. Investigators are continuing to build a timeline of the events leading up to the collision.
Most injured passengers have now been released from hospitals following the collision, with only four people remaining admitted. The airline says it will begin returning passengers’ baggage and personal belongings in the coming days.
Crews have begun removing the wreckage of the Air Canada plane from the runway at LaGuardia Airport, towing the damaged aircraft and repositioning the overturned fire truck as cleanup operations get underway. The plane will be moved to a hangar as investigators continue examining the crash.
The NTSB confirmed that the flight's cockpit voice recorder and cockpit data recorder, or "black boxes", were retrieved, and were immediately sent to Washington, D.C. to be reviewed.
The co-pilot who was killed in the Sunday night plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Mackenzie Gunther, according to the New York Post.
One of the pilots killed has been identified as Antoine Forest from Coteau-du-Lac. The flight attendant found alive after being ejected from the plane has been identified as Solange Tremblay. Tremblay reportedly suffered multiple fractures, including a broken leg.
Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice and data recorders by cutting into the plane’s tail, and say a large debris field spans the runway and taxiway as a team of about 25 investigators begins examining surveillance and flight data.
According to federal officials, air traffic control audio captured a controller urgently telling the fire truck to stop just before the collision. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said reports of only one controller on duty are false, noting the tower had 33 certified controllers and seven trainees.
Officials say the plane was traveling about 100 mph when it collided with a fire-rescue vehicle after air traffic control cleared the truck to cross the runway, then told it to stop.
New York City Mayor Mamdani said, “We know the crash will shake New Yorkers across the five boroughs.”
The fatal crash was the first in 34 years at LaGuardia Airport, according to Kathryn Garcia, the Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Bryan Bedford, an official with the Federal Aviation Administration, said there were moderate winds and rainy conditions last night.
LaGuardia Airport is operating with reduced capacity as the runway where the collision occurred remains an active scene.
Speaking at a press conference, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the two pilots were killed in the collision. Two individuals who were in the fire truck remain hospitalized.
In a video message, Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau said, “We are working with authorities to confirm the number of injuries and if there are any other fatalities."
Officials are holding a briefing at LaGuardia Airport. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to attend.
LaGuardia Airport is on track to reopen at 2:00 EST. In a post on X, the airport said, "As operations resume, travelers should expect residual delays and cancellations. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check with their carrier before departing for the airport."
The Port Authority fire truck that was struck was responding to a report of an unrelated report of an "odor" on a United Airlines plane at the airport.
Hundreds of flights at LaGuardia Airport have been cancelled, and others have been diverted to surrounding airports including JFK International Airport, also in Queens, and Newark International Airport in New Jersey.
The collision involved a Jazz Aviation flight operated on behalf of Air Canada. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash, per the New York Times.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) personnel are responding to LaGuardia Airport to conduct an investigation.
Officials have advised that LaGuardia Airport will be closed to all flights through 2 pm. Monday afternoon.
The NYPD has closed all airport exits and entrances on connecting streets while the emergency response continues at LaGuardia Airport.
A report from NBC News states the pilot and co-pilot were killed.
Additional emergency units are responding to assist at the airport incident.
All passengers have been removed from the plane and are currently on Port Authority buses to be evaluated.
Responders have categorized one patient as serious, two as moderate, and 67 as minor injuries.
Responders are diverting critically injured individuals to other trauma centers for treatment.
An update from the responders command post has confirmed two people have been pronounced dead at the scene, while at least three are critically injured.
Responders say that one civilian is dead, while at least two Port Authority firefighters are confirmed hurt—one critically injured and another moderately injured. They are working to tally up other injuries.
Firefighters advised that additional transport vehicles are being coordinated to assist with moving injured individuals from the tarmac.
Firefighters advised that a critically injured patient has been transported to a hospital for treatment. They are requesting an update on their status.
LaGuardia Airport is closed indefinitely, per the FAA.
A rescue team confirms the plane collided with an airport crash truck, resulting in "numerous" injuries.
Responders are setting up a triage area to assess and treat injuries on the other side of the runway.
Radio clips available.
FDNY personnel on scene say that four PAPD firefighters have been critically injured, while there are 100 people on board the Air Canada plane that could potentially require medical attention.
It is unclear if the aircraft had completely landed before the collision.
Responders have assessed that the aircraft struck a vehicle, with multiple injuries reported.
The aircraft was reported to be an Air Canada CRJ900.
Firefighters are also responding to the scene.
Police have received a report of a plane that crash-landed with damage to its front at LaGuardia Airport.
A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at LaGuardia Rd & Grand Central Parkway Service Rd.
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Rest in peace is the only appropriate thing to say here...be respectful
A whole tragedy happened and yall are arguing about rep/dems!? A lot yall need to go outside and touch grass, because no wonder America is always fucked! RIP to the pilots and hope those injured recover quickly.
@nycchic21 look who’s talking.
The ATC guy was working both tower and ground and dealing with the potential emergency that required fire…this is the fault of management who forces people to overwork and over stress themselves
@lvngd it is appropriate to tell the truth about the details… the Fire truck was responding to an emergency that occurred prior to the approaching plane. Whoever was monitoring everything made a mistake and unfortunately, the firefighters were directed to cross the tarmac and did not have time to hear the Stop stop stop eleven times in 4 seconds. This was a fatal mistake but still an accident and first responders always debrief and figure out how to avoid mistakes like this. We know that airport was understaffed and only had 2 ATC overnight shift. Doge made a huge mistake last year and now we know better. We need more ATC. Period. We need to stop letting the GOP shut down the government and refuse to negotiate with Legislative Branch and refuses to tell the truth about tearing down our federal government and putting us in danger.
Fuck political statements. Death is a still death and this is something that should never have happened. I wish nothing but peace for those who died and speedy recoveries to the injured.
🙏
Rest in peace is the only appropriate thing to say here...be respectful
A whole tragedy happened and yall are arguing about rep/dems!? A lot yall need to go outside and touch grass, because no wonder America is always fucked! RIP to the pilots and hope those injured recover quickly.
@nycchic21 look who’s talking.
The ATC guy was working both tower and ground and dealing with the potential emergency that required fire…this is the fault of management who forces people to overwork and over stress themselves
@lvngd it is appropriate to tell the truth about the details… the Fire truck was responding to an emergency that occurred prior to the approaching plane. Whoever was monitoring everything made a mistake and unfortunately, the firefighters were directed to cross the tarmac and did not have time to hear the Stop stop stop eleven times in 4 seconds. This was a fatal mistake but still an accident and first responders always debrief and figure out how to avoid mistakes like this. We know that airport was understaffed and only had 2 ATC overnight shift. Doge made a huge mistake last year and now we know better. We need more ATC. Period. We need to stop letting the GOP shut down the government and refuse to negotiate with Legislative Branch and refuses to tell the truth about tearing down our federal government and putting us in danger.
Fuck political statements. Death is a still death and this is something that should never have happened. I wish nothing but peace for those who died and speedy recoveries to the injured.
🙏
Rest in peace is the only appropriate thing to say here...be respectful
A whole tragedy happened and yall are arguing about rep/dems!? A lot yall need to go outside and touch grass, because no wonder America is always fucked! RIP to the pilots and hope those injured recover quickly.
@nycchic21 look who’s talking.
The ATC guy was working both tower and ground and dealing with the potential emergency that required fire…this is the fault of management who forces people to overwork and over stress themselves
@lvngd it is appropriate to tell the truth about the details… the Fire truck was responding to an emergency that occurred prior to the approaching plane. Whoever was monitoring everything made a mistake and unfortunately, the firefighters were directed to cross the tarmac and did not have time to hear the Stop stop stop eleven times in 4 seconds. This was a fatal mistake but still an accident and first responders always debrief and figure out how to avoid mistakes like this. We know that airport was understaffed and only had 2 ATC overnight shift. Doge made a huge mistake last year and now we know better. We need more ATC. Period. We need to stop letting the GOP shut down the government and refuse to negotiate with Legislative Branch and refuses to tell the truth about tearing down our federal government and putting us in danger.
Fuck political statements. Death is a still death and this is something that should never have happened. I wish nothing but peace for those who died and speedy recoveries to the injured.
🙏
Rest in peace is the only appropriate thing to say here...be respectful
A whole tragedy happened and yall are arguing about rep/dems!? A lot yall need to go outside and touch grass, because no wonder America is always fucked! RIP to the pilots and hope those injured recover quickly.
@nycchic21 look who’s talking.
The ATC guy was working both tower and ground and dealing with the potential emergency that required fire…this is the fault of management who forces people to overwork and over stress themselves
@lvngd it is appropriate to tell the truth about the details… the Fire truck was responding to an emergency that occurred prior to the approaching plane. Whoever was monitoring everything made a mistake and unfortunately, the firefighters were directed to cross the tarmac and did not have time to hear the Stop stop stop eleven times in 4 seconds. This was a fatal mistake but still an accident and first responders always debrief and figure out how to avoid mistakes like this. We know that airport was understaffed and only had 2 ATC overnight shift. Doge made a huge mistake last year and now we know better. We need more ATC. Period. We need to stop letting the GOP shut down the government and refuse to negotiate with Legislative Branch and refuses to tell the truth about tearing down our federal government and putting us in danger.
Fuck political statements. Death is a still death and this is something that should never have happened. I wish nothing but peace for those who died and speedy recoveries to the injured.
🙏
Rest in peace is the only appropriate thing to say here...be respectful
A whole tragedy happened and yall are arguing about rep/dems!? A lot yall need to go outside and touch grass, because no wonder America is always fucked! RIP to the pilots and hope those injured recover quickly.
@nycchic21 look who’s talking.
The ATC guy was working both tower and ground and dealing with the potential emergency that required fire…this is the fault of management who forces people to overwork and over stress themselves
@lvngd it is appropriate to tell the truth about the details… the Fire truck was responding to an emergency that occurred prior to the approaching plane. Whoever was monitoring everything made a mistake and unfortunately, the firefighters were directed to cross the tarmac and did not have time to hear the Stop stop stop eleven times in 4 seconds. This was a fatal mistake but still an accident and first responders always debrief and figure out how to avoid mistakes like this. We know that airport was understaffed and only had 2 ATC overnight shift. Doge made a huge mistake last year and now we know better. We need more ATC. Period. We need to stop letting the GOP shut down the government and refuse to negotiate with Legislative Branch and refuses to tell the truth about tearing down our federal government and putting us in danger.
Fuck political statements. Death is a still death and this is something that should never have happened. I wish nothing but peace for those who died and speedy recoveries to the injured.
🙏
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