LaGuardia Airport Collision: Audio Reveals Final Moments Before Crash
A tragic collision at Novel York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday, March 22nd, resulted in the deaths of both pilots of Air Canada flight AC8646 and injuries to dozens more. The Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, struck a Port Authority fire truck on the runway while landing.
“Truck One, Stop, Stop, Stop!” – ATC Audio Released
Newly released audio from the LaGuardia air traffic control tower reveals the frantic final moments before the crash. A controller repeatedly shouted, “Truck one, stop, stop, stop!” seconds before the Air Canada plane collided with the fire truck, according to reporting by the BBC.
The fire truck had been dispatched minutes earlier to respond to a separate incident involving a United Airlines flight reporting an unusual odor onboard, as stated by Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia.
Eyewitness Accounts Detail the Impact
Passengers on board the Air Canada flight described a jarring impact. Rebecca Liquori, a passenger arriving from Montreal, told News12 Long Island that a loud “boom” occurred immediately after landing. “As we were descending, we hit a lot of turbulence,” she said. “Then we landed very roughly… Everyone felt it. It was like the plane jolted and you heard the pilot try to brake trying to prevent the collision.”
Another eyewitness, Leo Medina, who was on a plane preparing for takeoff, described the scene as if “the plane got cut in half.”
Injuries and Rescue Efforts
The collision resulted in 41 injuries, with some passengers requiring hospitalization for serious injuries. A pramugari was found alive, trapped in her seat after falling through a hole in the aircraft floor, sustaining serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency responders quickly attended to the scene, providing aid to those affected.
Pilots Identified, Investigation Underway
The pilots have been identified as Antoine Forest, 30, from Québec and MacKenzie Gunther. Bran Bedford, FAA administrator, described them as “two young men at the start of their careers,” highlighting the tragedy of the loss.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Canadian authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, with initial focus on air traffic control coordination. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered and are being analyzed.
Travel Disruptions and Airport Recovery
The incident caused significant travel disruptions at LaGuardia Airport, with numerous flights delayed or cancelled. The airport reopened on Monday afternoon after a full investigation of the crash site. Air Canada has established a dedicated phone line for friends and family of passengers on flight AC8646.
FAQ
What caused the Air Canada crash at LaGuardia? The cause is still under investigation, but early indications point to potential issues with air traffic control coordination.
How many people were injured in the crash? 41 people were injured, with some requiring hospitalization.
What is the status of the investigation? The NTSB and Canadian authorities are conducting a full investigation, analyzing flight data and audio recordings.
Was the fire truck responding to another incident? Yes, the fire truck was responding to a United Airlines flight that reported an odor onboard.
What type of aircraft was involved? The aircraft was an Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation.
Did the pilots have much experience? The FAA described the pilots as “two young men at the start of their careers.”
What did eyewitnesses report? Eyewitnesses described a loud boom and the plane appearing to be severely damaged.
What is the current status of LaGuardia Airport? LaGuardia Airport has reopened, but some delays and cancellations may still occur.
What did the air traffic controller say before the crash? The controller repeatedly shouted, “Truck one, stop, stop, stop!”
What is the NTSB doing? The NTSB is analyzing the flight data recorders and conducting a full investigation.
What did the US Secretary of Transportation say? Sean Duffy reminded people of the importance of wearing seatbelts.
What did the Mayor of New York City say? Zohran Mamdani called it a “tragic collision” and praised the first responders.
What did the Prime Minister of Canada say? Mark Carney called the accident “very sad.”
What did the US President say? Donald Trump said it was “horrendous” and “a dangerous situation.”
