Two Air Canada pilots were killed Thursday afternoon when their aircraft collided with an airport fire truck during emergency response operations at LaGuardia Airport in New York, according to officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. EST as Air Canada Flight 8547, a regional jet carrying 78 passengers, was preparing for takeoff on Runway 13. Emergency crews were responding to reports of smoke in the aircraft's cargo hold when the collision took place on the tarmac.
"We can confirm that two crew members lost their lives in this tragic accident," said Air Canada spokesperson Jennifer Walsh during a press conference at the airline's Toronto headquarters. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this incredibly difficult time."
All 78 passengers aboard the flight were successfully evacuated and transported to area hospitals for precautionary medical evaluations. Port Authority officials confirmed that six passengers sustained minor injuries during the emergency evacuation, primarily related to smoke inhalation and minor cuts from the evacuation slides.
The fire truck's three-member crew was also hospitalized, with two firefighters in critical condition at Elmhurst Hospital and one in stable condition. LaGuardia Airport Fire Chief Robert Martinez confirmed that emergency protocols were being followed when the collision occurred.
"Our investigation will examine every aspect of ground operations, communication protocols, and emergency response procedures," said National Transportation Safety Board investigator Sarah Chen, who arrived at the scene Thursday evening. "We are working closely with Canadian authorities to determine the sequence of events that led to this tragedy."
LaGuardia Airport suspended operations on both runways for approximately four hours following the incident, causing significant delays and cancellations throughout the region. Normal operations resumed by 6:30 p.m., though residual delays continued into the evening hours.
Transport Canada has dispatched a team of investigators to assist with the probe, marking the first fatal accident involving a Canadian carrier at a U.S. airport since 2019. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900, was manufactured in 2018 and had logged approximately 12,000 flight hours.
"This is a devastating loss for the Air Canada family," said airline CEO Mark Galardo. "These were experienced pilots who had served our passengers with dedication and professionalism. We are providing full support to the investigation and to the families affected by this tragedy."
The incident has renewed calls for enhanced ground safety protocols at major airports, particularly during emergency response situations. Aviation safety experts note that ground collisions remain a persistent challenge despite improvements in airport technology and communication systems.
Both pilots, whose names have not been released pending family notification, were based out of Air Canada's Toronto hub. The airline has established a support centre for affected passengers and crew families, while grief counsellors have been made available to staff members.
The investigation is expected to take several months to complete, with preliminary findings anticipated within 30 days. LaGuardia Airport, one of the busiest in North America, has implemented additional safety measures while the probe continues.