Two pilots have died after a passenger plane collided with a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport.
Photos from the scene show the plane tilting backwards with its cockpit almost sheared off. The fire truck is on its side, surrounded by debris, wreckage, and warped metal.
Authorities said 41 people had been taken to hospital, with 31 later discharged but others suffering from serious injuries.
What happened?
At around 23:40 local time on Sunday, shortly after Air Canada flight AC8646 had landed from Montreal, it collided with a firefighting vehicle on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport. The truck had been called minutes earlier to a separate incident involving another plane that had reported an issue with odour, according to Port Authority executive director Kathryn Garcia.
After the collision took place, authorities immediately responded. An investigation is now underway to determine what happened. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be examining various factors including the speed of the plane and the staffing of the air traffic control tower at the time.
Who are the victims?
The aircraft, a CRJ 900 model, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. The identities of the two pilots who died have not yet been made public. All others onboard have been accounted for, and the two individuals in the firefighting vehicle are in stable condition.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his condolences and gratitude to first responders, stating that they acted swiftly to save lives. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the incident heartbreaking and offered condolences to the victims' families.
How will travel be affected?
LaGuardia Airport is currently closed, impacting hundreds of flights and causing significant delays. The earliest it could reopen is 14:00 ET on Monday, as authorities worked to assess and respond to the situation.
Travelers are advised to expect cancellations and to avoid the area if possible as emergency protocols remain active.
