Plane and fire-rescue truck collide at New York's LaGuardia Airport, 2 pilots killed, officials say
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- Two pilots were killed and 41 people injured, including 39 passengers and two firefighting officers, when an Air Canada Express plane collided with a fire-and-rescue vehicle on a runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night.
- The Air Canada flight, operated by Jazz Aviation, had 72 passengers and four crew members on board; the collision caused significant damage to the CRJ 900 aircraft.
- LaGuardia Airport was closed, and the FAA issued a ground stop until at least 2 p.m. while investigators, including the National Transportation Safety Board, launched an inquiry into the incident.
- Preliminary reports indicate the collision was accidental with no foul play or terrorism suspected; investigators are examining communication breakdowns and air traffic control procedures that allowed the vehicle on the runway during the plane's landing.
- The collision occurred amid simultaneous emergency responses, including a separate United Airlines flight aborting takeoff due to an anti-ice warning and passenger illness, which may have contributed to the air traffic control error.
