UPDATE: New image released of deadly runway crash at LaGuardia airport, controller admits ‘I messed up’

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New details are emerging on the horrific crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York that occurred Sunday evening, which killed two pilots and injured dozens of passengers and crew on the Air Canada flight.

The Air Canada jet, with 72 passengers and 4 crew members on board, was reportedly just landing on the runway when a fire truck crossed the runway in front of the plane.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy first announced Monday morning:

Our prayers this morning are with the families impacted by the ground collision at LaGuardia. The @FAANews is deploying a team to the site to support the @NTSB’s investigation.

Here’s the information I can share are this time:

– Last night, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 operating from Montreal (YUL) and a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) collided at about 11:45 p.m. ET.
– Of the 72 Air Canada Express passengers and 4 crew members, over a dozen are injured. Tragically, both pilots of the aircraft have passed away. At least 2 Port Authority firefighters sustained serious injuries.
– LaGuardia remains closed until 2pm while the NTSB investigates the accident site.

We will continue to work closely with the NTSB and share additional updates as soon as possible.

Duffy then shared a new image showing the nose of the plane completely obliterated and left in shreds. He wrote:

“I am on my way to LaGuardia Airport now in response to last night’s horrific crash involving Air Canada Express 8646 and a fire truck that killed two pilots.

“@FAANews and @NTSB are working closely on this, and we will share updates as soon as possible. Please keep the victims, families and response teams in your prayers.”

LaGuardia passengers describe ‘chaos’ before fatal crash, and recount pilot’s heroic final act that saved lives
From the New York Post: Passengers on the Air Canada flight that crashed with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport have described the “chaos” as the aircraft veered out of control on the runway — while suggesting the pilots who died may have saved countless other lives.

“It was a regular flight like always,” passenger Jack Cabot told Fox News of the jet that landed from Montreal just before 11:40 p.m. Sunday.

“As we were arriving, we came down really hard. We stopped really quickly, 2 seconds later, we had an absolute slam,” he recalled of the crash that left the front of the jet obliterated.

Another passenger described how it appeared that the pilots had put the aircraft into reverse thrust at the last second, which may have saved the lives of those on board.

Both pilots were killed, and 41 people were hospitalized in the horrific crash, which forced the closure of the Queens airport for much of Monday.

LaGuardia plane crash audio captures moments before fatal collision: ‘I messed up’
From the New York Post: Heart-pounding audio captured the frantic moments before Sunday’s fatal collision involving an Air Canada passenger plane and a firefighting truck at LaGuardia Airport — with one air traffic controller admitting after they “messed up.”

Air traffic controllers urged an incoming plane to go around as the crash unfolded on the ground, killing the jet’s pilot and co-pilot, according to LiveATC audio.

The truck was cleared to cross the airport’s Runway 4 before air traffic controllers urged a Frontier plane bound for Miami and the vehicle to stop.

The controller is heard frantically yelling, “Truck 1, stop, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1. Stop.”

After the crash, he says dejectedly, “Yeah, I tried to reach out to ‘em … And we were dealing with an emergency, and I messed up.”

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP RESPONDS

Asked by reporters about the horrific crash, President Donald Trump said, “It’s terrible. They made a mistake. It’s a dangerous business. That’s terrible. Thank you.”

CANADA RESPONDS

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney released the following statement:

“The collision involving an Air Canada Express aircraft last night in New York that claimed the lives of the pilot and co-pilot, and injured dozens more, is deeply saddening.

“Canadian officials are working closely with their U.S. counterparts on the ground as the investigation continues. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those impacted.”

Canadian Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon announced on X:

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada Express aircraft arriving from Montréal.  My thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and colleagues of those who lost their lives, as well as all those who were injured.  Canada is working closely with U.S. authorities as they investigate this incident, and we are following developments closely. Aviation safety remains our highest priority.”

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