A flight attendant was ejected from an Air Canada plane during a collision with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Sunday night, and remarkably survived. Her daughter, Sarah Lépine, described the event as a “total miracle” to Canadian news station TVA Nouvelles.
Details of the Collision
The Air Canada jet, carrying more than 70 passengers, collided with a Port Authority fire truck while landing. The fire truck had been dispatched to respond to an issue with another aircraft. The impact destroyed the nose of the Air Canada plane, and tragically, both the pilot and co-pilot were killed.
Solange Tremblay, the flight attendant, was found on the tarmac more than 100 metres from the aircraft, still secured in her seat. She sustained multiple fractures to one leg and will require surgery, according to her daughter.
Survival Against the Odds
An aviation safety expert suggested that Tremblay’s survival may have been aided by the four-point restraint system used in crew member seating. Lépine recounted that her mother “had a guardian angel watching over her,” and that the situation “could have been much worse.”
Thirty-nine passengers and crew members were transported to area hospitals, with nine remaining in care as of Monday. Two occupants of the fire truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the collision?
An Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday night. The fire truck was responding to an emergency at another aircraft.
What was the extent of the injuries?
The pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada jet were killed. Solange Tremblay, a flight attendant, sustained multiple fractures to one leg. Thirty-nine people were taken to hospitals, and nine remained in care as of Monday.
How far was the flight attendant ejected from the plane?
Solange Tremblay was ejected more than 100 metres from the plane, but remained strapped into her seat.
As investigations initiate into the circumstances surrounding this collision, what role do you believe improved safety measures and equipment play in mitigating the impact of such events?
