Two pilots died and 39 passengers and crew members were injured Thursday afternoon when two aircraft collided on a runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York, according to federal aviation officials and emergency responders.
The collision occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. EDT during takeoff preparations on Runway 4, involving a Delta Air Lines regional jet and a smaller private aircraft, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Michael Chen confirmed. The private aircraft's two pilots were pronounced dead at the scene, while injured passengers from both planes were transported to area hospitals with varying degrees of injuries.
"We can confirm there has been a serious incident involving two aircraft at LaGuardia," Chen said during an afternoon press conference. "The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are launching a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic collision."
Emergency crews responded within minutes of the 2:15 p.m. collision, with firefighters quickly extinguishing flames that had erupted from the smaller aircraft's fuel tanks. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials said the airport's emergency response protocols were activated immediately, with all runways temporarily closed to incoming and outgoing traffic.
The Delta regional jet, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, sustained significant damage to its left wing and engine assembly but remained largely intact. Passengers were evacuated via emergency slides, with 23 people treated for minor injuries including smoke inhalation and cuts from broken cabin materials.
The private Cessna Citation jet, registered to a Toronto-based charter company, bore the brunt of the impact and caught fire shortly after the collision. Both pilots aboard the six-seat aircraft were killed instantly, according to preliminary reports from emergency responders.
"The scene was chaotic but our crews performed exactly as trained," said Fire Chief Robert Martinez of the Port Authority Police Department. "Within four minutes we had foam on the burning aircraft and evacuation slides deployed on the larger plane."
LaGuardia Airport, one of the busiest in North America, experienced significant flight delays and diversions as authorities closed all runways for investigation. More than 200 flights were cancelled or redirected to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, affecting thousands of passengers.
The collision marks the most serious aviation incident at LaGuardia since 2005 and raises renewed questions about runway safety protocols at the heavily congested airport. Aviation safety experts noted that LaGuardia's shorter runways and high traffic volume create challenging conditions for air traffic controllers.
Delta Air Lines issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of the deceased pilots and confirming full cooperation with federal investigators. The airline said affected passengers would receive medical care and accommodation assistance as needed.
The NTSB announced it would deploy a full investigation team to examine air traffic control communications, weather conditions, and mechanical factors that may have contributed to the collision. Initial findings are expected within several days, though the complete investigation could take months to conclude.
LaGuardia Airport officials said they expect limited operations to resume Friday morning on unaffected runways, though significant delays and cancellations are anticipated to continue throughout the weekend as normal operations gradually restore.