LaGuardia: A tragic runway accident involving an Air Canada Express aircraft at LaGuardia Airport has left two pilots dead and several passengers injured, prompting an outpouring of grief and a large-scale emergency response.
The incident, which occurred late Monday night, involved Flight AC8646 — a CRJ-900 aircraft operated by Jazz Aviation LP on behalf of Air Canada. The flight had arrived from Montreal and was carrying around 72 passengers along with four crew members at the time of the accident.
In his first public remarks following the crash, Air Canada’s President and CEO Michael Rousseau described the day as “very sombre,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the impact on passengers and crew families. He confirmed that both the captain and first officer died in the collision, extending condolences to their families and colleagues within the aviation community.
The crash reportedly involved a collision between the aircraft and an airport fire vehicle on the runway shortly after landing. While no additional fatalities have been confirmed, multiple passengers sustained injuries, and authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage and casualties.
Emergency services responded swiftly, and airport operations were heavily disrupted in the aftermath. The incident forced a temporary shutdown of LaGuardia Airport, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays at the start of the working week. The disruption further compounded ongoing challenges faced by the aviation sector in recent weeks.
Rousseau stated that Air Canada has activated its Special Assistance Team to support affected passengers, crew members, and their families. A dedicated helpline has also been set up to provide information and assistance to relatives seeking updates.
“We understand that there are many questions at this time, but the situation is still under investigation,” Rousseau said, adding that the airline is cooperating fully with aviation and safety authorities to determine the cause of the accident.
He assured that verified updates would be shared as they become available, while emphasizing that the airline’s immediate priority remains supporting those impacted by the tragedy.
Investigative agencies have begun examining the circumstances surrounding the crash, including runway operations and coordination between ground vehicles and aircraft. While the probe is expected to take time, the focus remains on establishing a clear sequence of events leading up to the accident.
The incident has once again highlighted the critical importance of runway safety protocols and coordination at busy international airports, as aviation authorities work to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
