Two people have died after a plane crashed into a fire truck at a New York Airport. Additionally, more than a dozen was injured. The incident happened at LaGuardia Airport.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the incident happened on March 22. An Air Canada plane crashed into a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport. The firetruck had been responding to a separate incident.
"Emergency response protocols were immediately activated," the airport stated. The airport also said it would be "closed to facilitate the response and allow for a thorough investigation." According to reports, the flight was coming from Montreal and had 72 passengers and four crew members on board.
Plane Crash at New York Airport
"The pilot and co-pilot of the Jazz Aviation flight were pronounced deceased," a Port Authority spokesperson confirmed in a statement. "Additionally, 41 people were transported to the hospital, 39 people on the aircraft and two ARFF officers. The National Transportation Safety Board is on site. The Port Authority Police Department is working closely with our airline partners as well as federal authorities, and will provide additional updates as more details become available."
Dozens were injured in the resulting crash. Initial reports suggested 41 people had to go to the hospital. However, many had been released.
"Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased and notifications are being made by Air Canada's care team at this time," said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia, according to the outlet.
"The NTSB is launching a go team to investigate the March 22 incident involving Jazz Aviation, Air Canada Express Flight 8646, a CRJ-900, that collided with a fire truck on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in New York, NY," the NTSB told PEOPLE. "Chair Jennifer Homendy will serve as the on-scene spokesperson, accompanied by Member John DeLeeuw. The investigative team is expected to arrive today."
