Audio recordings from air traffic control reveal repeated warnings issued moments before a deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night.
Repeated Warnings Captured on Audio
According to recordings, an air traffic controller repeatedly instructed a runway vehicle to stop:
“Stop, stop, stop… Stop Truck One, stop.”
The command was issued multiple times, reportedly nearly a dozen, as a fire-rescue truck moved across the runway.
Fatal Collision Details
The incident involved an Air Canada Express flight(AC8646), operated by Jazz Aviation, arriving from Montreal.
- The pilot and co-pilot were killed
- 41 passengers were hospitalized
- Two Port Authority workers in the truck were injured
The aircraft had 72 passengers and four crew members on board at the time.
What Led to the Crash
Officials said the fire-rescue vehicle was responding to a separate emergency involving a United Airlines flight that had reported an unusual odor onboard.
Air traffic control had warned nearby aircraft about the vehicle crossing the runway, but the truck remained in position as the Air Canada flight landed.
Controller Response After Impact
Following the collision, the controller acknowledged the situation and quickly began diverting other aircraft from the area.
Audio suggests the controller realized the arriving plane could not avoid the vehicle in time.
Ongoing Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash.
Authorities will examine:
- Air traffic control communications
- Runway procedures
- Coordination between emergency responders and flight operations
The airport was temporarily closed as investigators began their work.
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