NEW YORK — A routine landing turned into chaos when Air Canada Express Flight 8646 collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. The incident unfolded as a cascade of delays and miscommunication occurred, culminating in a tragic event less than a minute after the plane's touchdown.
A Late Departure
10:12 p.m.: Flight 8646 departs Montreal, over two hours late, entering an already crowded flight schedule as delays compound at LaGuardia.
Ground Issues
As United Airlines Flight 2384 attempted to take off, it reported issues leading to an emergency situation, prompting requests for fire crews.
11:16:42 p.m.: The crew of United 2384 reported an unusual odor and prompted an emergency protocol, asking for fire rescue at the gate.
Cleared to Land
11:35:08 p.m.: Air Canada Flight 8646 was cleared for landing on Runway 4. Meanwhile, ground radio traffic indicated a fire truck was given clearance to cross the same runway.
The Collision
11:37:25 p.m.: Just seconds after the fire truck received clearance, the aircraft landed and collided with the truck. This catastrophic moment ended in tragedy.
Aftermath
First responders quickly descended upon the scene while air traffic control attempted to manage the fallout from the incident. Investigations are currently underway.
