By Momodu Favour

Tragedy struck late Sunday at LaGuardia Airport in New York City after a passenger aircraft collided with an emergency vehicle on the runway, leaving two crew members dead and several others injured.

Authorities confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada Express flight were killed in the accident, while at least 13 people including 11 passengers and two first responders were transported to nearby hospitals with varying degrees of injuries.

The aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada Express, had arrived from Montreal and was carrying 76 people, including four crew members, according to a preliminary passenger manifest released by the airline.

Eyewitness images and footage from the scene showed the plane’s nose and cockpit section severely damaged, with multiple emergency vehicles surrounding the aircraft.

The collision involved a fire truck operated by airport emergency services, raising immediate concerns about runway safety protocols.

Following the incident, aviation authorities ordered a temporary ground stop at LaGuardia Airport, halting all incoming and outgoing flights as emergency responders secured the scene and investigators began preliminary assessments.

Officials have yet to determine the exact cause of the collision. However, early reports suggest the crash occurred during ground operations on the runway, an area typically subject to strict coordination between air traffic control and airport emergency units.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both launched investigations into the incident. Authorities say a full review will focus on communication procedures, runway clearance protocols, and visibility conditions at the time of the crash.

This incident is expected to disrupt operations at one of the United States’ busiest airports for several hours, with passengers advised to check with airlines for updates.

Further details are expected as investigators continue their work.