At least two people died when an Air Canada Express passenger plane collided with a rescue vehicle on a runway at LaGuardia Airport, New York City, around 23:40 on 22/3. The vehicle involved belonged to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and was deployed to the area to handle another incident.

The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation for Air Canada Express, collided during the final stage of its landing on runway 4. It was moving at approximately 48 km/h. There were 72 passengers and 4 crew members on board.

The Air Canada Express aircraft after colliding with a rescue vehicle at LaGuardia Airport, New York, on the night of 22/3. *Photo: NYP*

Data from FlightRadar24 indicates that the aircraft was taxiing on the runway when it collided with the rescue vehicle as the vehicle cut across its path.

Air traffic control recordings show that the rescue vehicle was initially cleared to cross runway 4 at taxiway D. However, immediately afterward, the controller could be heard repeatedly shouting for "Truck 1" to stop.

Investigative sources told NBC that the aircraft's captain and first officer died. Two port authority police officers, a sergeant and an officer, sustained fractures and were transported to the hospital in stable condition. Airport authorities reported no other serious injuries.

Images from the scene show the aircraft's front section severely damaged, its forward fuselage deformed, and the nose cone ripped off. The rescue vehicle was severely damaged and overturned, with debris scattered across the runway.

Close-up of the Canadian aircraft's nose after the collision in New York. *Photo: NYP*

Sources revealed that a flight attendant on the Bombardier CRJ-900 was ejected from the aircraft with her seat during the collision and was later found by police and rushed to emergency care.

LaGuardia Airport was closed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for all flights due to the emergency. Previously, the airport had also warned that rainy and cloudy weather could impact operations.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are conducting investigations.

Thanh Danh (According to NBC, NY Post)