Two people were killed in a late-night collision at LaGuardia Airport when an Air Canada regional jet struck a Port Authority ground vehicle, officials told ABC News. Multiple officials briefed on the situation said the pilot and co-pilot are believed to have died; the New York City Chief Medical Examiner’s Office was on scene Monday as authorities awaited confirmation of identities.
Thirteen others were taken to hospitals with injuries, including 11 passengers and two first responders, according to officials. A union representative told ABC News the injured first responders were Port Authority police officers assigned to firefighter duty at LaGuardia.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated the regional jet had flown from Montreal and landed on Runway 4. Preliminary information suggests the aircraft was rolling on the runway when the collision occurred. Audio recordings released after the incident show the ground vehicle requested clearance and was granted permission by air traffic control to cross Runway 4 at taxiway Delta; moments later, an air traffic controller can be heard ordering the vehicle to stop multiple times immediately before the impact.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice that airport operations would remain suspended until 2 p.m. Monday. At least 18 flights were diverted from LaGuardia, mostly to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is sending an investigative team to the scene. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy will serve as the on-scene spokesperson, accompanied by member John DeLeeuw. Officials say the investigation is ongoing and the situation is developing.