Mangled Plane Towed from LaGuardia Runway After Deadly Crash

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A mangled Air Canada plane involved in a deadly collision with a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport was towed from the runway on Wednesday, as most of the roughly 40 injured passengers were released from the hospital. The crash, which remains under investigation, killed two pilots and left four passengers still hospitalized.

Why it matters

The crash at one of the country's busiest airports raised concerns about runway safety protocols and the potential risks posed by emergency vehicles operating near active runways. The incident also highlighted the importance of emergency response procedures and the need to ensure the safety of both passengers and first responders.

The details

The Air Canada plane, which originated in Montreal and was carrying 76 people including the crew, slammed into the fire truck that had driven out onto the runway. Seconds before the collision, an air traffic controller had cleared the truck to cross the runway. The plane's tail end was lifted onto a large dolly and towed away, while much of the wreckage of the nose was cut away by work crews. The two pilots, Mackenzie Gunther and Antoine Forest, were killed in the crash, but at least one passenger, Clément Lelièvre, credited their 'incredible reflexes' in saving his life and those of others.

• The crash occurred on Sunday.
• On Wednesday, airport workers began towing the remnants of the plane away.
• Earlier on Wednesday, much of the wreckage of the plane's nose was cut away by work crews.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, and their findings will be crucial in determining any necessary changes to runway safety protocols or emergency response procedures.