An aircraft operated on behalf of Air Canada collided with a fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday, killing the pilot and co-pilot and injuring two others, according to media reports citing a law enforcement official.
The crash occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. (03:40 GMT), when a Jazz Aviation flight struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that had been dispatched to another incident, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said. Authorities confirmed that emergency response protocols were immediately activated following the collision.
Two individuals in the fire truck were injured as they responded to a nearby aircraft reporting an unknown cockpit odor. Air Canada stated that the CRJ-900 aircraft involved was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, based on preliminary information.
Following the incident, LaGuardia Airport was closed to allow emergency operations and a full investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for all departures to the airport, with the closure initially set to remain in effect until 18:00 GMT, though officials indicated a high likelihood of an extension.
