By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
NEW YORK — An Air Canada regional jet was involved in a late-night collision with an airport emergency vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday, leaving the aircraft with significant damage to its nose and prompting an immediate response from authorities.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. on Runway 4 when the aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that had been responding to a separate situation on the airfield.
The flight, operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, had arrived from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The airline reported that 72 passengers and four crew members were on board at the time of the collision, though officials have not yet confirmed whether there were any injuries or fatalities.
Emergency crews and Port Authority Police quickly responded to the scene, where the damaged aircraft remained on the runway surrounded by response vehicles. Airport officials temporarily closed the runway as investigators began working to determine how the collision occurred.
Images and videos shared online showed the jet’s front section heavily damaged, with emergency lights illuminating the scene as crews worked around the aircraft.
In a statement, airline officials said passenger and crew information remains preliminary as they continue to gather details. Authorities have not yet released additional information about the circumstances leading up to the incident or the condition of those involved.
The investigation remains ongoing.