A devastating aviation accident has left two pilots dead after an Air Canada Express jet collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in the United States.
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members on a flight from Montreal when the tragic incident occurred late Sunday night.
Authorities confirmed that both the captain and first officer lost their lives in the collision.
Several passengers and emergency responders sustained injuries, with at least nine individuals reported to be in serious condition in hospital. Others were treated and later discharged.
Passengers onboard described moments of panic as the aircraft struck the vehicle during landing, leaving many with head injuries and fractures caused by the sudden impact.
Read Also:
- FG moves to leverage Canada’s mining expertise, fast-track investment in sector
- Canada Updates Express Entry 2026: New categories for Doctors, Researchers, Transport, Military Professionals
- Nigerian man arrested in Canada over murder of university student
Preliminary reports indicate that the fire truck had been dispatched to assist another aircraft experiencing technical issues and was cleared to cross the runway.
At the same time, the incoming Air Canada jet had also received clearance to land setting the stage for the fatal столкновение.
Air traffic control audio reportedly captured a last-second warning instructing the fire truck to halt, but the alert came too late to prevent the crash.
The aircraft struck the vehicle at an estimated speed of 24 miles per hour, causing significant damage to the nose section of the plane.
The incident forced a temporary shutdown of LaGuardia Airport, triggering widespread disruption, including hundreds of cancelled and delayed flights.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, alongside Canadian aviation authorities, have launched a full-scale probe into the accident.
Early indications suggest that communication lapses between air traffic control and ground operations may have played a critical role.
The crash comes amid growing concerns over safety pressures within the U.S. aviation system, including staffing shortages and increasing operational demands.
Aviation experts say the findings of the investigation could have far-reaching implications for runway safety protocols and coordination between pilots and ground emergency teams.
More details are expected as authorities continue their investigation into one of the most shocking runway incidents in recent times.
