Dead and injured in Air Canada Express plane accident at LaGuardia Airport

The pilot and his assistant were killed, and dozens of people were injured, following a collision between a passenger plane belonging to “Air Canada Express” and a fire and rescue vehicle on the runway of LaGuardia Airport in New York.

Accident Details

The plane was a CRJ-900 model, operated by “Jazz Aviation”, on a flight from Montreal to New York, carrying 72 passengers and 4 crew members, when the collision occurred just before midnight on March 22.
Authorities reported that the plane collided with a rescue and fire vehicle crossing the runway, causing severe damage to the front of the plane.

Casualty Toll

The pilot and his assistant were killed
41 passengers and crew members were transported to hospitals
9 injured remain under medical care so far

Possible Coordination Failure

Air traffic control recordings indicate that the fire vehicle had permission to cross the runway before the accident, while one air traffic controller was heard saying after the collision: “I made a mistake”, highlighting the possibility of a failure in coordination procedures.

Immediate Repercussions

Following the accident, all flights at LaGuardia Airport were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure, while the relevant authorities launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the causes of the accident and responsibilities.

Scenes from the Accident Site

Field reports showed that the force of the collision destroyed the front of the plane, while information indicated that one of the flight attendants was found outside the plane, indicating the severity of the accident.

Official Response

The Canadian government confirmed sending additional consular teams to New York to provide support to passengers and the victims' families, amid a state of shock and sorrow following the accident.

Growing Concern

The accident raised concerns about aviation safety, especially amid challenges related to air traffic management and staff shortages, which raises questions about safety procedures at busy airports.
Investigations continue to determine the exact circumstances, at a time when the accident is expected to have wide repercussions on the aviation sector in the coming period.