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“That wasn’t good to watch”: Plane crash at LaGuardia kills two, closes airport for hours

In tower audio, an air traffic controller can be heard admitting they "messed up"

Nights and Weekends Editor

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An Air Canada Express plane sits on the tarmac after it collided with a fire truck on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport on March 23, 2026 in New York City. Two people are believed to have been killed in the late-night accident, with dozens injured. The plane had landed from a flight from Montreal. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
An Air Canada Express plane sits on the tarmac after it collided with a fire truck on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport on March 23, 2026 in New York City. Two people are believed to have been killed in the late-night accident, with dozens injured. The plane had landed from a flight from Montreal. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

New York City‘s second-busiest airport reopened Monday afternoon after a deadly collision on one of its two runways closed the airport late Sunday night.

An Air Canada flight from Montreal crashed into a Port Authority fire rescue truck shortly after landing at LaGuardia Airport, killing both pilots and injuring dozens. The truck was crossing the runway to attend to an emergency on another plane. The occupants of the truck, the remaining crew and all of the 72 passengers on board survived the crash.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two… employees,” Air Canada shared in a statement. Our deepest condolences go out to the entire… community and their families. 

Per reports from several outlets, an attendant on the Air Canada flight survived being ejected from the plane during the crash. They were reportedly strapped into a jumpseat for landing and were found strapped into that same seat by rescue crews.


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In audio from the control tower at the time of the crash, an air traffic controller can be heard urgently asking the truck to come to a stop. Later in the audio, the controller admits that they “messed up.”

“We’re going to be closed for a little while,” the controller said.

“We got stuff in progress for that, man. hat wasn’t good to watch,” a second voice said. “You did the best you could.”

 


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