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‘STOP, STOP, STOP’: LaGuardia ATC panics as Air Canada Express plane collides with fire truck
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for all planes at the New York airport, Reuters reported, citing a notice from the regulator.
An Air Canada Express plane, carrying 76 people, reportedly collided with a ground vehicle, likely a fire truck, at New York's LaGuardia airport. The pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft have reportedly died, while four passengers have been injured.
Shortly after the incident, an audio clip of the air traffic control (ATC) tower surfaced on social media, where officials can be heard yelling, "Stop, stop, stop!" in panic.
The LaGuardia Airport was closed after the Air Canada Express plane, CRJ-900, collided with a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ground vehicle.
The Port Authority said in a statement that at approximately 11:40pm (local time) on Sunday, Jazz Aviation flight, which took off from Montreal, was involved in the incident on runway 4 at the LaGuardia airport.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for all planes at the New York airport, Reuters reported, citing a notice from the regulator.
Of the 76 people on board, 72 were passengers and the remaining four were crew members. The pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada Express plane, who were earlier said to be badly injured, have died, reported NBC News, citing sources.
In visuals of the LaGuardia ATC tower's flight tracking, airport officials are heard navigating through several planes as usual. Suddenly, one of them is heard saying, "Stop Truck 1. Stop, stop, stop. Stop Truck 1."
However, the visuals indicate that despite the warnings, the ground vehicle collides with the plane. Immediately after, the ATC asks other incoming and nearby flights to turn around.
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HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
What the ATC official is heard saying:
Truck 1 and Company, LaGuardia Tower, requesting to cross at 4 at Delta.
ATC: Truck 1 and Company, cross 4 at Delta.
Truck 1 and Company, crossing 4 at Delta.
ATC: Frontier, 4195, just stop there, please. Stop, stop, stop, stop, Truck 1, stop, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1, stop.
-- The collision likely takes place ---
ATC: Delta 2603, go around, runway heading 2000.
ATC: Shots 646. Shots 646, I see you collide with a vehicle.
ATC: Hold position, I know you can't move. The vehicle is responding to you now.
Is the runway closed?
ATC: Delta 2603, go around, runway heading 2000.
Runway heading 2000, go around Delta 2603.
LaGuardia Tower. Truck 3-2, runway 4 is closed, correct?
ATC: Yes, go onto runway 4 now. Proceed onto runway 4, you have access.
LaGuardia Tower, Car 9-0, runway 4-2-2 is closed at this time.
ATC: 9-0 Roger.
La Guardia Tower, vehicle 9-8. Vehicle 9-8, police show at this time. Runway 4-2-2 is closed. I repeat, runway 4-2-2 is closed at this time.
Tower, Car 9-0, LaGuardia Airport is closed at this time.
What the FAA notice said
The aircraft appeared to have been severely damaged in visuals that surfaced from the LaGuardia airport.
According to the FAA notice, the reason for halting all the planes at the airport was an emergency. Without specifying any details, the regulator also said there was a high probability of an extension to the halt.
In a separate notice to airmen, the FAA said the LaGuardia airport could be shut until 1800 GMT.
