Air Canada Crash at LaGuardia Airport Leaves Two Dead and Dozens Injured

Investigation begins into runway collision in New York

NEW YORK:
A deadly collision involving an Air Canada aircraft at LaGuardia Airport has left two crew members dead and dozens of passengers injured. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

The crash claimed the lives of the pilot and co-pilot. In addition, emergency teams transported 41 passengers to nearby hospitals. Two firefighters involved in the incident also sustained injuries.

What happened during the landing

The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ900 operated by Jazz Aviation, was flying as Air Canada Flight AC8646 from Montreal to New York. It carried 72 passengers and four crew members.

Shortly before the crash, a fire truck from the Port Authority entered the runway to respond to a separate situation involving a United Airlines flight that had reported an unusual odour onboard.

At approximately 11:40 pm on Sunday, the aircraft struck the fire truck while landing. The collision occurred on the runway, turning a routine arrival into a major emergency.

Air traffic control communication under scrutiny

Audio recordings suggest that air traffic control initially allowed the fire truck to cross the runway. However, as the aircraft approached, the controller urgently tried to stop the vehicle.

In the final moments before impact, the controller repeatedly issued warnings, shouting for the truck to stop. Despite these efforts, the collision could not be prevented.

Authorities launch full investigation

Investigators are now examining all possible causes, including coordination between ground vehicles and air traffic control. Officials aim to determine whether communication failures contributed to the accident.

Meanwhile, the incident has raised serious concerns about runway safety at one of the busiest airports in the United States.
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