Landing Air Canada Plane Hits Fire Truck

USPA NEWS - A serious ground collision reportedly occurred at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night involving Air Canada Express / Jazz Airlines Bombardier CRJ-900, Flight AC8646, which was traveling from Montreal, QC to New York, NY.
LaGuardia Airport Remains CLOSED at this time.

A fatal collision occurred between an Air Canada flight from Montreal and a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. Initial reports suggest the aircraft collided with Crash Truck 1 from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department ARFF Unit while responding to a separate incident.

The impact, estimated at about 39 km/h, caused chaos inside the aircraft, with passengers describing being thrown from their seats as the plane veered off course. In total, 41 people were injured, including passengers, crew, and two firefighters, with several sustaining serious injuries. All but 13 of the 41 injured have been discharged from medical care.

Air traffic control audio recordings indicate that the fire truck had initially received clearance to cross the runway before controllers made urgent attempts to halt it mere moments prior to the collision. The crash necessitated the immediate closure of LaGuardia Airport, prompting a major emergency response. The airport reopened later Monday afternoon as anticipated.

Authorities and investigators are currently working to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the runway incursion, as concerns regarding aviation safety continue to escalate in the wake of a series of recent high-profile incidents across North America.