‘Like the plane got cut in half’: LaGuardia crash that killed two pilots now under investigation
‘Like the plane got cut in half’: LaGuardia crash that killed two pilots now under investigation
At 11:40 PM local time on Sunday, Air Canada flight AC8646 collided with a fire truck on the tarmac of New York’s LaGuardia airport, resulting in the deaths of two pilots and injuries to over 40 others. The incident caused widespread disruption, halting operations at the airport until Monday morning. Passengers and witnesses were left in shock, with many stranded and uncertain about the outcome of the sudden crash.
Passengers recount the chaos
Leo Medina, a 23-year-old traveler on a nearby aircraft, described the crash as if the plane had been “cut in half.” He told the BBC that he was just 100 meters away when the collision occurred, emphasizing the abruptness of the event. “I had to rush back to the gate and spent over 12 hours waiting, sleeping on the floor amid a pile of jackets,” he said.
“We were descending when turbulence hit hard, and then the plane landed with a rough jolt. Everyone felt it. The pilot tried to brake, but it was like the whole thing just exploded.”
Rebecca Liquori, a passenger arriving from Montreal, shared her experience with News12 Long Island. She recalled the moment the plane struck the fire truck, noting the sudden “boom” that shook the cabin. “Passengers were thrown out of their seats, and people scrambled to slide down the wing to escape,” she explained.
Air traffic control audio captured a frantic call: “‘Truck One, stop, stop, stop!” seconds before impact. The fire truck had been dispatched earlier to address a separate incident involving a plane that reported an “issue with odour,” as stated by Port Authority executive director Kathryn Garcia.
Investigation and casualties
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the crash as a reminder of seat belt safety, stating, “They do save lives,” during a news briefing. Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old Quebec native, was confirmed as one of the deceased pilots, while the identity of the second pilot remains unknown.
FAA administrator Bran Bedford called the incident a “tragic collision,” noting the loss of two young pilots early in their careers. Meanwhile, Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the “composure and solidarity” of those involved, saying first responders’ quick actions were crucial in minimizing casualties.
“I would have never imagined a routine one-hour flight could end so violently. It’s terrifying to think it could have been one of us,” said Katie Rojas, 26, whose flight to Chicago was delayed by the crash.
A flight attendant was found alive outside the plane after falling through a hole in the aircraft’s floor, suffering serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The fire engine’s two crew members were hospitalized, while most of the 41 injured passengers were released by Monday.
Broader implications
LaGuardia, one of the busiest airports in the US, closed for several hours, causing hundreds of flight delays and cancellations. It marked the first fatality at the airport in over 34 years. The crash adds to a period of turbulence in air travel, with US airports struggling from TSA staffing shortages due to the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney called the event “deeply saddening,” while US President Donald Trump labeled it “terrible” and “a dangerous business.” The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the incident, with officials vowing to exhaust all possibilities until the findings are complete.
