‘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
On Sunday night, Air Canada flight AC8646 collided with a fire truck on LaGuardia Airport’s runway, resulting in the deaths of two pilots and injuries to dozens of others. The incident, which occurred at 23:40 local time, left passengers and bystanders in shock, with many stranded at the tarmac. Leo Medina, a 23-year-old traveler on a separate plane, recounted the scene to the BBC: “We were just 100 meters away. It felt as if the aircraft had been split apart.”
Passengers’ Accounts of the Collision
Leo Medina described the chaos after witnessing the crash, stating he had to return to the gate and spent over 12 hours waiting, sleeping on a pile of jackets. Rebecca Liquori, who was on the plane arriving from Montreal, shared her experience with News12 Long Island: “A loud boom followed our landing. There was severe turbulence as we descended, then a rough touchdown. Everyone felt the impact. It was like the plane jolted, and you could hear the pilot trying to brake.”
“As you heard the brake, a couple seconds later it was just a very loud boom,” Liquori added. “Everybody jolted out of their seats.”
Investigation and Response
US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of seat belts during a news conference, noting: “Last night proved they can save lives.” Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old from Québec, was confirmed as one of the deceased pilots, while the second pilot remains unidentified. FAA Administrator Bran Bedford called the event “a tragic collision,” highlighting the loss of two young professionals early in their careers.
Impact and Recovery
The crash injured 41 individuals, some with critical injuries, and forced LaGuardia to close until Monday morning. A Port Authority executive director, Kathryn Garcia, mentioned the fire truck had been dispatched minutes earlier to address an “odour issue” on another aircraft. Meanwhile, passenger Jack Cabot described the aftermath to CNN: “We went down for a routine landing. Then we hit something. It became chaos immediately. Everyone was scrambling.”
“We were hunkered down and screaming,” Cabot said.
CBS News reported a flight attendant surviving the crash, found alive outside the plane but still seated. Katie Rojas, 26, who was on a flight to Chicago, expressed fear: “It’s scary. You never know if it could have been one of us.” As of Monday, most of the 40 hospitalized passengers had been released, though two fire engine crew members were admitted. Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the calmness of those involved, stating: “They reacted with composure and helped each other during the accident.”
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney labeled the crash “deeply saddening,” while US President Donald Trump called it “terrible” and “a dangerous business.” LaGuardia, one of the busiest airports in the US, remained closed until 14:00 Monday, causing widespread flight delays and cancellations. Officials noted it was the first incident with fatalities at the airport in over 34 years. The crash adds to ongoing challenges in air travel, as TSA staffing shortages have plagued US airports for weeks due to the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
