A serious incident involving an Air Canada flight unfolded late Sunday night, prompting analysis from retired aviation accident investigator Jeff Guzzetti.
Authorities have released new details about the crash, which involved an Air Canada Express passenger plane and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, was flying from Montreal to New York with 76 passengers onboard. According to reports, it was moving at about 24 mph when it struck a Port Authority vehicle on Runway 4.
Tragically, both the pilot and co-pilot lost their lives. Audio from air traffic control, now circulating online, captures the tense moments before the collision, with urgent commands heard telling the truck to stop.
Officials say the two individuals in the fire truck were hospitalized but are currently in stable condition. In a statement, LaGuardia Airport confirmed that the aircraft collided with a rescue and firefighting vehicle responding to another situation. Emergency protocols were immediately activated, and the airport was temporarily closed to support response efforts and begin a full investigation.
Guzzetti explained that both aircraft and ground vehicles must remain in constant communication with air traffic control to prevent such incidents. He emphasized that vehicles, like planes, are required to follow controller instructions closely. Ground collisions of this kind are extremely rare, especially those resulting in serious consequences.
Based on the available information, Guzzetti suggested the aircraft itself likely had no mechanical issues. Instead, he believes the crash may have stemmed from an operational breakdown involving either the flight crew, air traffic control, or the vehicle driver.