Pilot, co-pilot killed after plane collides with truck on runway at LaGuardia Airport A plane landing at LaGuardia Airport collided with an emergency vehicle on the runway, killing the pilot and co-pilot and seriously injuring two Port Authority police officers, according to sources. The incident occurred after 11:30 p.m. Sunday at the Queens airport. An Air Canada plane was nearing the end of its landing procedure when it struck a Port Authority firetruck operated by police officers, as confirmed by two individuals familiar with the matter. The pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft died in the collision, sources told NBC New York. Two Port Authority police officers were hospitalized with broken bones but are expected to recover. The plane, which had 72 passengers and four crew members onboard, sustained damage, and more than a dozen people were injured. Many of the injured were taken to Elmhurst Hospital or Queens Presbyterian Hospital. The collision occurred on Runway 4, with the plane traveling at approximately 30 mph at the time. For comparison, planes typically taxi at around 5 mph. A Port Authority spokesperson noted the firetruck was responding to a separate incident involving a United flight, where the pilot reported an “issue with odor.” Chilling audio from the moments before the crash revealed an air traffic controller repeatedly instructing the firetruck to stop. The transmission included the controller saying, “Truck 1, stop, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1. Stop,” before the audio cut out. City officials warned of cancellations, road closures, and traffic delays near LaGuardia, advising drivers to avoid the area. All streets and highway exits into the airport were closed until further notice. The airport was placed under a full ground stop and remained closed until 2 p.m.#la_guardia_airport #air_canada #port_authority #elmhurst_hospital #queens_presbyterian_hospital
