A chilling audio recording reveals the desperate moment when an air traffic controller implored a fire truck to “stop” seconds before an Air Canada aircraft collided with it during landing at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport. Tragically, the incident resulted in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot.
The flight, originating from Montreal, was touching down at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday when it hit a Port Authority emergency vehicle on the runway, according to a spokesperson who spoke with the Daily Mail.
Audio from the air traffic control, obtained by NBC New York, captured the tense moments before the crash. It all began with an emergency being reported by another flight at a different part of the airport.
Based on the audio, the fire truck had been granted clearance to cross the runway just as the Air Canada plane was landing. However, mere seconds later, the controller frantically directed the truck to halt, followed by a collision report.
“Truck One, stop, stop, stop!” the controller urgently shouted, and moments later addressed the aircraft, stating, “JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle. Just hold position. I know you can’t move. Vehicles are responding to you now.”
After the crash, the plane was visible on the runway, its nose severely damaged and tilted upwards.
The flight was affiliated with Jazz Aviation, a regional airline in Nova Scotia, and was operating on behalf of Air Canada.
An Air Canada Express plane collided with a Port Authority vehicle on Sunday night on Runway 4 of LaGuardia Airport. The cockpit suffered severe damage
Air traffic control audio shared by NBC New York heard the moments leading up to the collision, which began with another flight reporting an emergency on the other side of the airport
The jet, which had reportedly been carrying 76 passengers and crew, being removed from the runway by Port Authority Police following the incident
‘Emergency response protocols were immediately activated. The Port Authority Police Department is on scene along with the agency’s Chairman and Executive Director,’ a Port Authority spokesman said in a statement.
‘The Port Authority Police Department is working closely with our airline partners as well as federal authorities, and will provide additional updates as more details become available.’
The New York Fire Department confirmed to the Daily Mail that its crews had received reports of an incident involving an aircraft and a vehicle on runway four.
The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft was reportedly carrying 76 passengers and crew during the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced a ground stop due to an aircraft emergency, effectively closing LaGuardia Airport at 11.50pm EST.
Photos of the aftermath showed Port Authority Police removing the front half of the plane.
Port Authority’s vehicle was pictured after the collision turned on its side as several emergency responders flooded the runway.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the collision.
The Daily Mail has reached out to LaGuardia Airport, the FAA, and Air Canada for comment.
LaGuardia warned of flight disruptions due to weather conditions at 8.30pm EST as New York experienced rainy conditions.
The Port Authority vehicle was turned on its side as several emergency responders flooded the runway
Emergency personnel worked to clear the damage overnight on Monday in the aftermath of the collision
Port Authority Police and FDNY responded to the collision. LaGuardia subsequently closed to allow emergency crews to respond. The aftermath of the collision is pictured above as Port Authority worked to clear the plane
The incident comes as airports are already facing mounting pressure amid a DHS funding standoff.
LaGuardia is among many airports facing challenges, with employees forced to work without pay and passengers facing long security lines.
Travelers reported lines spilling through the parking lot on Sunday morning, with some saying they waited for up to three hours.
Donald Trump announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be sent to airports on Monday to help TSA agents.
‘If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before!’ Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday.
‘I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to,”GET READY.” NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!’
Border czar Tom Homan told CNN that he had been working to finalize a plan with ICE Director Tedd Lyons and acting TSA administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill to deploy ICE agents.
He added that the officials would have a plan, including which airports would be targeted, in place by the end of the day on Sunday.
