NEW YORK (AP) — A tragic accident unfolded in just moments at LaGuardia Airport as Air Canada Express Flight 8646 collided with a fire truck while landing Sunday night. This incident stemmed from a series of events detailed in a timeline compiled using flight data and air traffic control recordings.
The Late Arrival from Montreal
10:12 p.m.: Air Canada Express Flight 8646, operated by Jazz Aviation, took off from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, significantly delayed by over two hours, joining a string of other late arrivals at New York.
Ground Issues at LaGuardia
11:16:42 p.m.: A United Airlines flight aborted its takeoff due to an anti-ice warning.
11:21:12 p.m.: The United pilot reported a strange odor in the cabin, prompting them to request fire services.
11:31:41 p.m.: United 2384 declared an emergency due to cabin crew feeling ill from the odor.
Flight 8646 is Cleared for Landing
11:34:18 p.m.: Air Canada Flight 8646 was instructed to contact control for the final approach and subsequently cleared to land.
Fire Truck Granted Clearance
11:37:00 p.m.: A fire truck was cleared to cross Runway 4, which was also the landing runway for Flight 8646.
11:37:05 p.m.: The fire crew acknowledged the clearance just as Flight 8646 began its descent.
Collision Occurs
11:37:25 p.m.: The Air Canada flight crashed into the fire truck just moments after touchdown, halting the cockpit recording.
Immediate Aftermath
Emergency services rushed to the scene as the pilot of another landing aircraft reported witnessing the alarming incident. A controller expressed regret over the oversight.
This incident raises serious questions about airport protocols and communication, illustrating the dire consequences of operational failures in aviation safety.
