The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after the aircraft collided with a fire truck while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday, in an incident that forced the airport to shut down, authorities and US media reported. NBC News said dozens of others were injured in the crash
The incident left four people injured, according to NBC News.
The aircraft, a Jazz Aviation flight operating for Air Canada, struck a Port Authority vehicle that was responding to a separate incident around 11:40 pm, officials said.
Authorities said the truck was an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle operated by police personnel.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stopped all flights at the airport, according to a notice from the agency.
The Air Canada Express CRJ-900, flying from Montreal, collided with a fire truck on Runway 4 while landing, local reports said.
The FAA notice also indicated a high likelihood that the airport shutdown could be extended, without providing further details, highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
According to the reports, the incident took place at Runway 4.
LaGuardia’s website showed that arriving planes had been diverted to other airports or returned to their origin.
In a separate notice to airmen, the FAA said the airport could remain closed until 1800 GMT.
Unverified social media footage showed damage to the plane’s nose as it tilted upward.
