Air Canada Plane Collides With Fire Truck on LaGuardia Runway

An Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York late Sunday night, injuring four people including both pilots. The airport was closed following the incident and flights were placed under a ground stop.

What Happened

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the aircraft was a Bombardier CRJ-900 twin-jet operated by Air Canada Express on a flight from Montreal. The collision occurred on Runway 4 at approximately 11:45 p.m. ET. The aircraft was at the end of its landing roll and traveling approximately 30 mph when it struck the vehicle.

Seventy-six passengers and four crew members were aboard. The Port Authority vehicle involved was a fire truck manned by police officers. Video posted to social media showed the jet on the runway with the forward underside of the fuselage severely damaged and the nose section elevated.

The Injuries

Both the pilot and co-pilot sustained serious injuries. A Port Authority sergeant and an officer on the fire truck suffered broken limbs and were transported to a hospital in stable condition. No other major injuries were reported from among the 76 passengers aboard.

The New York Police Department confirmed the collision between the aircraft and a Port Authority vehicle but did not provide injury details in its initial statement.

Investigation

The FAA is investigating the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it was gathering information. Neither agency provided additional details in their early statements. LaGuardia Airport remained closed with a ground stop in effect while emergency responders and investigators worked the scene.

LaGuardia is located in the Queens borough of New York City and is one of the busiest airports in the United States.