An Air Canada jet crashed into a rescue truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, injuring officers and crew, forcing a shutdown, and raising global concerns over runway safety.
WEBDESK – Act Global Media
An Air Canada regional jet collided with an emergency response vehicle at LaGuardia Airport in New York late Sunday, leaving at least two Port Authority police officers seriously injured and forcing a temporary shutdown of the airport.
The incident occurred on Runway 4 shortly before 11:40 p.m. as the aircraft, arriving from Montreal, struck a rescue truck responding to a separate emergency, according to officials and preliminary reports.
The injured officers were part of the Port Authority Police Department’s Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Unit. At least four firefighters were also reported injured in the crash.
A female flight attendant was reportedly ejected from the front section of the aircraft while still strapped to her seat during the impact. She was rescued by emergency responders and taken to hospital.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation for Air Canada Express, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. Authorities said all passengers were being evaluated, with no immediate reports of fatalities.
Images from the scene showed the aircraft’s nose heavily damaged and tilted upward, while the rescue truck was mangled and overturned. Debris was scattered across the runway as emergency crews rushed to contain the situation.
Preliminary air traffic control audio suggests the rescue vehicle had been cleared to cross the runway, though controllers were heard urgently warning it to stop moments before the collision.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop, temporarily halting operations at the busy NYC airport to allow emergency response and investigation.
Officials said the focus remains on treating the injured and determining the cause of the accident. The incident has raised broader concerns about runway coordination and aviation safety protocols at major international airports.
