A deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport could have resulted in far greater loss of life, but an aviation expert says “pure luck” helped limit the damage.
An Air Canada Express jet struck a Port Authority fire truck while landing late Sunday night, killing two pilots and injuring dozens onboard and on the ground. However, the specific point of impact played a critical role in preventing a catastrophic fire.
Former Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector David Soucie told CNN that the aircraft hit “directly in the middle of the fire truck,” which pushed the vehicle forward and confined most of the damage to the plane’s nose.
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‘Could have caused many, many fatalities’
According to Soucie, a slight difference in positioning could have dramatically changed the outcome. Had the truck been even 40 feet ahead or behind, the aircraft might have struck its wings, engines, or fuel tanks.
“That would have created a huge fire and … many, many fatalities,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“That would have created a huge fire and … many, many fatalities,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“So as tragic as this is for the two that we’ve lost, just out of pure luck,” he added, the impact location significantly reduced the number of deaths.
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Chaos on runway
The crash occurred around 11:45 pm as the plane approached the runway in Queens. Audio recordings suggest the fire truck had initially been cleared to cross by air traffic control. Moments later, controllers urgently attempted to halt the vehicle after realizing the aircraft was on final approach.
The resulting collision left the fire truck destroyed and the aircraft heavily damaged, with debris scattered across the runway.
Casualties and investigation
More than 40 passengers, crew members, and two police officers were injured in the incident, though officials said many of those hospitalized were later released.
The two pilots killed were described by Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford as “young men at the start of their careers.” One victim has been identified as Antoine Forest, according to reports citing his family.
Authorities are now investigating the sequence of events that led to the runway miscommunication.