A tragic collision at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday killed two Air Canada pilots and left dozens of passengers injured. The accident happened when Air Canada flight AC8646 struck a fire truck on the runway shortly after landing.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. Leo Medina, 23, who was on another plane nearby, said, “It was like the plane got cut in half.” Passengers on the flight that collided with the fire truck reported a loud boom and a rough landing. Some had to slide down the wing to escape.
The crash killed both pilots, including 30-year-old Antoine Forest from Québec. The other pilot has not yet been publicly named. In total, 41 people were taken to hospitals, some with serious injuries. Authorities closed LaGuardia until Monday afternoon to investigate and clear the debris.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy highlighted the importance of seat belts, saying they save lives in accidents like this. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed that an investigation is underway. Her team has already completed a walking inspection and is reviewing the plane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders.
Passengers described a scene of fear and confusion. Flight attendant accounts reveal that some were trapped but survived, while others helped fellow travelers escape. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised first responders and passengers who acted calmly under pressure.
The crash disrupted travel at one of the nation’s busiest airports, delaying or canceling hundreds of flights. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the accident “deeply saddening,” and U.S. President Donald Trump described it as “terrible” and “a dangerous business.”
The NTSB investigation is ongoing. Officials are documenting debris, analyzing flight data, and working to understand how such a collision could happen. The accident comes amid broader challenges at U.S. airports, where TSA staffing shortages have caused delays and stressed air travel operations.
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