Two Pilots Killed as Air Canada Flight Collides with Fire Truck on LaGuardia Runway

NEW YORK — A Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, killing both pilots and injuring dozens of passengers. 
Air Canada Flight 8646, arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members, was rolling down Runway 4 when it collided with the fire truck at approximately 11:40 p.m. ET. The truck had been dispatched to respond to a separate emergency — a United Airlines flight that had reported an unusual odor in the cockpit. 
Air traffic control audio revealed that a controller had granted the fire truck permission to cross the runway, but moments later issued an urgent order to stop. The collision occurred seconds later, with the controller subsequently notifying the Jazz Aviation crew: “JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle.”  (CNN) In a separate recording, a controller was heard saying, “I messed up.” 
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia confirmed at an early morning press conference that both pilots — who were based in Canada — had been killed, and that 72 passengers and four crew members had been on board. 
A total of 41 people were transported to local hospitals — 39 from the aircraft and two Port Authority firefighting officers from the truck. By Monday morning, 32 had been released, though several remained with serious injuries. 
The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched an investigative team to the scene, with Chair Jennifer Homendy serving as on-scene spokesperson. Canada’s Transportation Safety Board also deployed investigators to support the inquiry. 
LaGuardia Airport was shut down and all arriving flights were diverted to other airports.  Air Canada and Jazz Aviation stated they were fully cooperating with the investigation.