"Stop, stop, stop", an air traffic controller is heard urgently warning a ground vehicle moments before it collided with an Air Canada Express plane at New York's LaGuardia Airport, according to an audio recording that surfaced on social media after the incident.
The crash took place late Sunday night when an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft, arriving from Montreal, struck a fire truck on the runway while landing. The aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation, had 72 passengers and four crew members on board.
????#UPDATE: Listen as you can hear panic as air traffic controllers try to divert everyone away from LaGuardia after a jet had collided with a fire truck numerous injuries and now Fatalities are being reported pic.twitter.com/sU7OjwB2ol
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 23, 2026
In the 1 minute and 17 seconds long audio clip, the controller can be heard repeatedly cautioning the vehicle driver as the aircraft approached. “Hold position… hold position,” the controller said earlier, before issuing the final urgent warning: “Stop, stop, stop.” Moments later, the collision occurred.
Reports said the fire truck had sought permission to cross the runway. However, as the situation developed, the controller continued to intervene, at one point warning of the approaching aircraft and instructing the driver to remain clear of the runway.
The incident occurred at around 11:38 pm (local time) on Runway 4. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft was moving at about 24 miles per hour at the time of impact.
The collision caused significant damage to the front section of the aircraft and led to a large emergency response. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and evacuation procedures were carried out.
Several passengers and crew members were injured. Reports also indicated that the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. Personnel on board the fire truck were also hurt and taken to hospital.
The fire truck was reportedly responding to another emergency when it entered the runway. The audio recording suggests that air traffic control was actively monitoring the situation and issuing instructions in the moments leading up to the crash.
Following the incident, flight operations at LaGuardia Airport were temporarily halted, with the Federal Aviation Administration issuing a ground stop that caused delays and cancellations.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the vehicle entered the runway despite repeated instructions. The probe will examine communication records, runway access procedures and coordination between ground vehicles and air traffic control.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
