Air Canada Crash at LaGuardia: Survivors credit Pilots’ quick reflexes

A tragic accident unfolded at New York's LaGuardia Airport Sunday when an Air Canada regional jet collided at high speed with a fire truck , killing both pilots and injuring multiple people. The collision occurred just as the plane touched down, resulting in a chaotic scene with debris scattered across the runway.

Despite the devastating crash , passengers took immediate action to escape. With the smell of fuel in the air and cockpit wreckage dangling, many tore open emergency exits, jumped from the plane's wings, and helped fellow travelers, some of whom were bleeding or had head injuries. Passenger Clement Lelievre said, “Strangely enough, I wasn’t scared. We all knew something serious happened, so we helped each other out.”

Around 40 passengers and crew from the Montreal-bound flight, along with two fire truck personnel , were transported to hospitals. While some sustained serious injuries, most were released by Monday, and several walked away without medical attention. A flight attendant, initially thrown from the aircraft, survived with injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities report the fire truck had been authorized to check another aircraft that aborted takeoff due to a reported odor. Audio recordings capture an air traffic controller urgently instructing the vehicle to stop, later admitting possible error.

Experts, including former DOT Inspector General Mary Schiavo , note the investigation will focus on coordination between air traffic and ground operations . Investigators have retrieved the cockpit and flight data recorders, which were transported to the NTSB lab in Washington for analysis. Officials warn that the runway may remain closed for several days, delaying flights at one of the New York region’s busiest airports.

The flight, operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, carried 72 passengers and four crew members from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport . Both pilots, Canadian nationals, were based in Canada. Jeannette Gagnier , great aunt of one pilot, identified him as Antoine Forest , noting his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.

LaGuardia features an advanced surface surveillance system designed to track aircraft and vehicles, which likely triggered warnings prior to the collision. The FAA, however, continues to face a shortage of air traffic controllers, contributing to operational risks.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that while LaGuardia is well-staffed, safety relies heavily on proper coordination. The NTSB is leading the investigation and expects more details to be released as debris is analyzed and data from the cockpit recorders is examined.