In a concerning incident late last night, an Air Canada flight collided with a ground vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, prompting immediate emergency responses and the airport’s closure. The collision occurred at approximately 11:38 PM local time as an Air Canada Express regional jet, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, was landing from Montreal.
The impact of this incident was swift and significant. The FAA issued a ground stop for all departures to LaGuardia, effectively halting air traffic and stranding numerous passengers. Authorities warned of potential cancellations, road closures, and traffic delays in the vicinity of the airport, creating a ripple effect across the region.
At the time of the collision, the aircraft was traveling at a speed of 24 mph (approximately 39 km/h). Unverified footage circulating on social media showed visible damage to the plane’s nose as it tilted upwards, raising concerns about the safety of those onboard.
The airport is expected to remain closed until at least 05:30 GMT, with the FAA indicating a high probability of an extension of the closure due to the ongoing emergency. Emergency management authorities have advised travelers to use alternate routes to avoid the area.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of the damage to both the aircraft and the ground vehicle involved in the collision. Additionally, the exact nature of the emergency that prompted the FAA’s ground stop has not been specified, leaving many questions unanswered.
This incident marks a troubling moment for air travel safety, particularly at one of the busiest airports in the United States. As the situation develops, further updates are anticipated from the Port Authority, New York Police Department, and other involved agencies.
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