Collision Details
A regional Air Canada jet arriving from Montreal collided with an airport fire truck on the runway late Sunday night. The truck was responding to a separate emergency aboard a United Airlines flight, which had reported a “weird odor” causing flight attendants to feel ill.
Air traffic control audio revealed the truck was initially cleared to cross the runway, but controllers attempted to halt it to prevent the collision. The Air Canada jet struck the emergency vehicle, crushing the cockpit area.
Emergency Response
Photos and videos from the scene showed the jet’s nose severely damaged and tilted upward, with debris hanging from the cockpit. The fire truck was overturned nearby. Emergency stairways were deployed to evacuate passengers safely.
Weather conditions at the time included mist and fog, with visibility around 4 miles and winds near 7 knots.
Casualties
The crash resulted in two fatalities and injuries to 30 others. First responders from FDNY and airport personnel quickly secured the area and assisted in evacuations.
Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident. Audio recordings from the control tower indicated that the controller responsible for the runway clearance admitted to errors while directing the fire truck.
Authorities are reviewing all communications, runway procedures, and emergency response protocols to determine the exact sequence of events.
Conclusion
This incident highlights the risks associated with simultaneous airport emergencies and runway operations. Authorities continue to assess the situation, and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.