Eyewitnesses have described the moment Air Canada flight AC8646 crashed into a fire truck on the runway of New York's LaGuardia Airport, killing two pilots and injuring dozens of others.
We were literally like 100 meters away, says Leo Medina, 23, who was onboard another plane on the tarmac when the crash happened. It was like the plane got cut in half. He recounted having to return to the gate to wait in the airport for over 12 hours, sleeping on the floor on a bed of jackets.
After visiting the crash site on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy emphasized the critical importance of wearing seat belts during any mode of transportation, noting that they save lives.
Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old pilot, was identified as one of the deceased, according to Canadian reports, while the identity of the second pilot remains undisclosed. FAA administrator Bran Bedford expressed that the loss of two young men at the start of their careers is an absolute tragedy.
The incident, which unfolded shortly after 11:40 p.m. local time on Sunday, resulted in 41 injuries that required hospitalization, some of which were serious. Passenger Rebecca Liquori, aboard the plane arriving from Montreal, described hearing a loud boom just after landing. We hit a lot of turbulence... then we landed very roughly. Everyone felt it. It was like the plane jolted. Another passenger, Jack Cabot, recounted the ensuing chaos as everyone screamed following the impact.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently conducting an investigation into the collision, which has profoundly affected the flight safety landscape at one of the busiest airports in the U.S. Notably, LaGuardia had not recorded a fatal incident in over 34 years.
The crash comes at a tumultuous time as U.S. airports face operational challenges due to ongoing TSA staffing shortages prompted by the federal government shutdown. Many travelers experienced significant delays as a result.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, recognizing the emotional toll of the incident on the community, expressed gratitude to first responders for their swift actions that potentially saved lives, and reassured the public that a thorough investigation will take place.
In response to the tragic events, Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump both offered condolences, highlighting the dangers involved in aviation.
