A flight attendant was found alive after being thrown from an aircraft during a ground collision involving a Air Canada plane and an airport rescue vehicle at LaGuardia Airport, authorities confirmed as investigators continue examining the rare aviation incident.
The accident occurred while the aircraft was operating on the ground when it struck an emergency response vehicle near the runway area. During the impact, a flight attendant who was seated in a jump seat near an aircraft door was reportedly ejected while still strapped to the seat structure. Emergency responders quickly located the crew member outside the aircraft and transported her to hospital.
Officials said the flight attendant survived the incident and is receiving medical treatment. No passengers were seriously injured, though the event triggered an immediate safety response and temporary operational disruption at the airport.
The unusual nature of the incident has drawn attention across the aviation industry. Cabin crew jump seats are specifically designed to keep flight attendants securely restrained during critical phases of flight and ground movement, making separation from the aircraft extremely rare.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation alongside airport authorities and airline representatives. Investigators are reviewing ground-control communications, vehicle positioning, aircraft movement procedures, and safety-equipment performance to determine how the collision occurred and why the crew member was ejected.
Air Canada said it is cooperating fully with authorities and providing support to the injured crew member and other staff involved in the incident. The airline also confirmed that the aircraft involved was removed from service for inspection.
Safety officials are expected to release preliminary findings in the coming weeks as part of a broader review aimed at preventing similar ground-operation incidents in the future.
