Pilots Support LaGuardia Controller After Runway Collision With Fire Truck

NEW YORK — Newly released communications reveal an unusual moment of crew support following a runway collision at LaGuardia Airport, where a Bombardier CRJ-900 struck a fire truck on March 23, 2026.

Investigation Timeline and Findings

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, Air Canada Express Flight 460 collided with Port Authority Fire Truck One seconds after touchdown. Cockpit voice recorder audio indicates normal operations until impact, with a control transfer occurring six seconds before the crash. The fire truck was cleared to cross the runway while responding to a separate United Airlines incident involving anti-ice issues. NTSB Air Safety Investigator Doug Brazy noted that the data points toward layered safety failures rather than a single error.

Human Elements in Crisis Response

Captain Steeeve, an experienced airline pilot, highlighted the post-collision radio exchange where the flight crew supported the controller despite their own involvement in the incident. The audio captures pilots expressing concern for the tower personnel, whom they believed had made mistakes under pressure. Early findings indicate no mechanical issues with the aircraft, prompting a focus on procedural lapses involving air traffic control and ground operations.