In a chilling moment captured on air traffic control audio, the seconds leading up to a tragic accident at LaGuardia Airport have been revealed. An Air Canada plane collided with a firetruck on March 22, resulting in the tragic loss of two pilots.

The tense exchange began with an air traffic controller’s urgent plea, “Stop, stop, stop!” followed by a cautionary warning, “There’s a vehicle near the cross runway.” These words foreshadowed the unfolding disaster, as reported by NBC News and LiveATC.net.

The fateful event unfolded as Flight 8646, carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, approached the runway just before midnight. The aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation LP on behalf of Air Canada Express, was en route from Montréal.

In the aftermath of the collision, a somber admission came through on the airwaves: “I messed up,” uttered by a voice from the control tower. This statement highlighted the gravity of the situation that had just transpired.

Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, explained that the aircraft collided with a rescue-and-firefighting truck. The truck had been granted permission to access the runway in response to a separate incident involving an unusual odor detected on a United Airlines flight.

During landing, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said, the aircraft collided with a rescue-and-firefighting truck that had been cleared to enter the runway in response to a separate incident involving an odor on a United flight. 

“Initial numbers indicate that 41 passengers and crew were transported to the hospital,” said Garcia. “At this time, we understand that 32 have been released but there are also serious injuries. Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased.” 

Garcia added that the two occupants of the truck suffered non-life-threatening injuries. 

Families were directed to the Air Canada ticket counter to meet those who were on board, said Garcia, which included one unaccompanied minor. At press time, LaGuardia Airport is temporarily closed amid an investigation that, according to Garcia, will also determine who was in the controller tower at the time of the crash.  

Air Canada expressed condolences to those impacted by the tragedy. 

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Jazz employees,” Air Canada said in a press release, “and our deepest condolences go out to the entire Jazz community and their families.”