Accident Avion Laguardia: Air Canada Express CRJ-900 Collides with Fire-Rescue Vehicle; Two Pilots Dead
accident avion laguardia struck late Sunday when a Jazz Aviation-operated CRJ-900 flying for Air Canada Express from Montreal, with 72 passengers and four crew on board, collided with a Port Authority fire-rescue vehicle while landing at LaGuardia at about 11: 40 p. m. ET. The two pilots were confirmed dead, and dozens of people were taken to hospital; the Port Authority announced the airport will remain closed until at least 3: 00 p. m. ET Monday to allow investigators to work. The National Transportation Safety Board has deployed a team and the Federal Aviation Administration declared an emergency at the field.
Accident Avion Laguardia — immediate aftermath
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation for Air Canada Express, struck a Port Authority vehicle that was responding to a separate incident on the runway during landing. Emergency crews rushed victims to nearby hospitals; in total 41 people were transported to medical facilities, with 32 later released and nine still hospitalized, including the two people who had been in the fire-rescue vehicle, described as in stable condition. Images circulating from the scene show the forward fuselage and cockpit area severely damaged and numerous emergency vehicles clustered on the runway.
The airport authority managing LaGuardia said operations were halted and all departures and arrivals were delayed or canceled while investigators and emergency personnel worked the scene. Emergency responders warned the public to expect cancellations, road closures and traffic slowdowns around the airport hub in the Queens borough and urged travelers to use alternate routes and check their travel plans.
Immediate reactions
Kathryn Garcia, director general of the Port Authority that manages LaGuardia, confirmed the fatalities at a press briefing: “Unfortunately, the deaths of the two pilots are confirmed. ” Garcia added details on hospital care for others: “They were able to speak and we are informing their families. ” The NTSB announced it has immediately deployed a team to investigate the collision and examine flight and response records; the FAA issued an emergency closure notice for the field with a strong likelihood the measure would remain in place while investigators work.
Quick context
The flight had departed Montreal and carried 72 passengers and four crew when the collision occurred just before midnight local time. The vehicle struck by the plane was a Port Authority emergency response unit that had been intervening for an unrelated request on the field.
What’s next
Investigators from the NTSB will lead a formal inquiry into the circumstances of the accident avion laguardia, collecting flight data, crew records and runway operations information over the coming hours and days. LaGuardia will remain closed at least until 3: 00 p. m. ET Monday to facilitate the investigation, and the FAA has warned travelers to expect extended disruptions; officials say more information will be released as families are notified and investigative teams complete initial on-scene work related to this accident avion laguardia.
