Plane Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport

At New York’s LaGuardia Airport, a passenger aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway late on Saturday night, leaving at least four firefighters seriously injured and prompting temporary closure of the airport.

According to initial reports, the incident involved an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft arriving from Montreal. The collision occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. local time as the plane was taxiing on the runway towards its gate. Eyewitnesses captured videos showing significant damage to the aircraft’s nose section, although these clips have not been independently verified.

Emergency crews responded immediately, securing the area and attending to the injured. The four firefighters, believed to be members of the Port Authority Police Department, were taken to nearby hospitals in serious condition. The aircraft was carrying roughly 100 passengers, all of whom underwent medical checks; no immediate fatalities among passengers have been reported.

In response to the collision, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a “ground stop” at LaGuardia Airport. This measure temporarily halted all incoming flights, while incoming aircraft were either diverted to alternate airports or returned to their points of origin. Departing flights were delayed until the runway could be safely cleared.

Preliminary assessments suggest that adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the accident, with reduced visibility and wet surfaces possibly playing a role. Authorities, however, have not yet confirmed the exact cause or the full extent of damage. Investigations are ongoing, involving both airport safety officials and federal aviation investigators.

Incident Summary

Airport authorities have assured passengers and the public that safety is the top priority, and that full operational normalcy will resume once a thorough assessment is completed. Officials also emphasised that all passengers and crew will be carefully examined for potential injuries, while the damaged aircraft is being evaluated for repair or removal from service.

This incident marks a rare but serious runway collision at one of the busiest airports in the United States, highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing aircraft and emergency vehicles in complex and high-traffic conditions.