2 Port Authority cops seriously injured as Air Canada flight, emergency vehicle collide at LaGuardia: sources

An Air Canada flight arriving at LaGuardia Airport crashed into a rescue truck on Sunday night, resulting in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two pilots and left two Port Authority cops seriously injured. The regional jet, en route from Montreal, struck the rescue truck responding to a separate incident just before 11:40 p.m., causing chaos on Runway 4 at the Queens airport.

The front of the commuter plane was severely damaged, with images showing it smashed and tilting in the air. The pilot and copilot aboard the aircraft lost their lives in the crash. The injured Port Authority cops, part of the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter Unit, sustained broken bones but are expected to survive. A female flight attendant was ejected through the front of the aircraft but miraculously survived with the help of Port Authority cops who rescued her.

The Bombardier CRJ-900 jet, operated by Jazz Aviation as Air Canada Express Flight, was carrying 72 passengers and 4 crew members. The conditions of the passengers are currently being assessed. The passengers on the flight were reportedly a group of Orthodox Jews from the New York area.

At least four firefighters were also injured in the incident. The LaGuardia Airport was closed, and the FAA issued a ground stop due to the aircraft emergency. The NTSB announced that they would be sending investigators to the scene to further probe the crash.

The cause of the collision between the Air Canada flight and the rescue truck is still under investigation. The FAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter. The airport alert mentioned rainy and cloudy weather, which may have played a role in disrupting operations at the travel hub.

The NTSB is launching a go-team to investigate the incident involving Air Canada Express Flight 8646. Chair Jennifer Homendy and Member John DeLeeuw will be leading the investigation team. Updates on the investigation can be followed on the NTSB Newsroom.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.