An air traffic controller issued urgent instructions to both vehicles on the ground and incoming aircraft after an Air Canada plane struck a fire truck while on the runway at LaGuardia Airport.
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia has confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash, which happened late Sunday (March 22).
“Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased and notifications are being made by Air Canada’s care team at this time,” she told press early on Monday (March 23).
Garcia did not share further details about the two pilots beyond saying they were Canada-based.
Officials say the commercial flight had landed at LaGuardia after traveling from Montreal and had slowed to roughly 24mph when it collided with a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey vehicle.
According to NPR, the control tower had cleared a ground vehicle to cross part of the tarmac shortly before the impact.
Moments later, radio traffic captured the controller’s alarm as they repeatedly warned: “Stop, Truck 1. Stop.” The transmission then shows efforts to reroute other aircraft and prevent additional planes from landing at LaGuardia.
Garcia said the ground vehicle had been responding to a separate situation involving an ‘aircraft operated by United that had reported an issue with odor’ when it entered the path of the Air Canada flight.
Jazz Aviation, which operated the Air Canada service, said there were 76 people on board, including four crew members.
Garcia stated that 41 passengers and crew were transported to hospital and noted that some are ‘seriously injured’.
She said during a press conference: “At approximately 11.40 last night, Air Canada flight 8646 operated by Jazz collided with the Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and firefighting vehicle on Runway Four.
“Initial numbers indicate that 41 passengers and crew were transported to the hospital… at this time, we understand that 32 have been released, but there are also serious injuries.”
She also confirmed that a sergeant and a police officer who were in the vehicle were receiving treatment for non life-threatening injuries.
Air Canada has set up a phone line for families seeking information about passengers, and can be reached on 1-800-961-7099.
The crash triggered major disruption at the airport, with flights suspended as authorities respond and investigate.
LaGuardia has remained close since the incident, though officials have indicated they are aiming to reopen at 2pm ET on Monday.
Many flights scheduled to depart Monday morning have been delayed or canceled, while police continue to urge the public to ‘avoid the area’ until further notice.