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CNN This Morning

NYC's LaGuardia Airport Closed after Deadly Collision. Aired 6- 6:30a ET

Aired March 23, 2026 - 06:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[06:00:08]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news

AUDIE CORNISH, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news, a deadly collision at New York's LaGuardia airport.

Welcome, everybody. I'm Audie Cornish, and the airport is now closed.

An Air Canada jet hit a fire truck on the runway. Now, this happened just before midnight. Two pilots were killed. Dozens of other people are injured.

In this video from the scene showing the wrecked plane, nose tilted up to the sky. The crashed truck is seen nearby. And here is the moment air traffic controllers knew something went wrong.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Frontier 4195, just stop there, please.

Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop. Truck one, stop, stop, stop.

Stop, truck one. Stop! Stop, Truck One, stop!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle. Just hold position. I know you can't move. Vehicles are responding to you now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CORNISH: OK. Joining us now with the very latest is CNN correspondent Gloria Pazmino. And Gloria, what are you hearing right now at LaGuardia?

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. You know, it's just devastating listening to that audio, hearing the radio operator telling the vehicle to stop.

We now know that the vehicle collided with the airplane. There were 72 passengers aboard that aircraft, four crew members. And sadly, the pilot and the copilot were killed as a result of that collision.

Now, dozens of passengers were also injured. Forty-one passengers and crew were transported to the hospital shortly after that collision. Thirty-one of them have been released.

And the two people who were inside the fire truck which collided with the airplane, we are told, are in stable condition.

Now, here's what happened. And as you look at the images of the airplane, you can see the front of the airplane is completely destroyed.

The collision happened around 11:40 last night. This is a Jazz Aviation flight that was operating on behalf of Air Canada. The aircraft, we are told, struck a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle, which was actually responding to a different aircraft on the runway.

This was Flight 84 -- 8646. It was coming in from Montreal late last night. It left Montreal around 10:30 p.m. local time and landed here at 11:40.

It collided with the firefighting vehicle shortly after the landing.

In fact, we heard from officials here at the Port Authority, which manages the airport. They described the moment, saying the collision happened during the landing.

Now, this was a regional jet aircraft. It was traveling South, going very fast, about 130 miles just before it hit that fire truck -- fire truck.

Now, the passengers who did not have to be transported to the hospital were actually seen leaving the airport just a short time ago. I was able to catch up with one of them. He described the moment to me, telling me that it was a hard landing and that they had no indication that there was a problem on the runway. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACK CABOT, PASSENGER, AIR CANADA FLIGHT 8646: We went down for a regular landing. We came in pretty hard. We immediately hit something, and it was just chaos from there.

About five seconds later, we had come to a stop. But in that short period, I mean, everybody was hunkered down, and everybody was screaming.

Pretty quickly -- we didn't have any directions, because the pilot's cabin had been kind of destroyed. So, somebody said, let's get the emergency exit and get the door, and let's all jump out. And that's exactly what we did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAZMINO: Audie, the passengers who did not have to be transported to the hospital were set up in an airline lounge. They were reunited with their family members. And as I said, many of them were leaving the airport just a short while ago. The FAA issued a ground stop here at LaGuardia Airport shortly after

the incident. That ground stop has been lifted now, but the airport is closed.

Officials telling us just in the last hour they expect LaGuardia airport to remain closed at least until 2 p.m. in the afternoon. The National Transportation Service [SIC] Board, the NTSB, is on the ground, launching their investigation.

And I just have to say, the fact that the airport has to remain closed, at least until the late afternoon, 2 p.m. today, is certain to cause a lot of delays, a lot of transportation issues here for passengers, which of course, comes as we are seeing all these other problems -- delays and long lines -- as a result of the partial government shutdown.

[06:05:11]

So, it's going to be a busy and likely -- you know, a troublesome morning for people who are going to be traveling -- Audie.

CORNISH: OK. That's Gloria Pazmino at LaGuardia with the latest.

I want to bring in now CNN transportation analyst Mary Schiavo, former inspector general for the department of transportation. She's also investigated countless aviation crashes.

Good morning, Mary. Thank you for being with us.

Just to give people the state of play right now, we have those images of the plane we just heard from our reporter. It was traveling something like 120 miles per hour, coming in for its landing.

When you listen to that air traffic control, those voices, what are you hearing that you'd want to investigate?

MARY SCHIAVO, CNN TRANSPORTATION ANALYST: Well, you know, clearly, when an aircraft is given permission, clearance to land, basically, that aircraft owns that runway.

Because as you said, the aircraft was going 120, 130 miles an hour. On other planes, much faster. But you -- the brakes don't work that way. You have the -- you have -- you have to slow it down with the thrust reversers. You do have brakes, but they aren't principally what slows the plane down.

So, once that aircraft was given permission, clearance to land, it owned that runway.

Now the fire truck, we're hearing, was also cleared to cross the runway. Did the controllers think that the fire truck would be crossing behind this aircraft? That it would be further down the runway? Those are things that the investigators will want to know.

But because it's all recorded, everything that happens in air traffic control is recorded and in the tower cab. Of course, there's also ground control and other controllers there.

But at this point, speed the aircraft was going, clearance to land. It owned the runway. So, that will be probably where the NTSB starts.

CORNISH: Can I follow up with what you said about the fire truck? I think most of us don't know how emergency services work on -- on the tarmac. Tell us how this is supposed to be done.

SCHIAVO: Sure. So, in air traffic control, in the actual control tower, they actually have what they call -- they call it the crash phone, but they use this for many things: to get emergency services, firefighters, et cetera to places in the airport.

And we understand that a United flight that was taking off earlier, and aborted a takeoff because of fumes in the cabin, had called for services. And so, this fire truck, probably other responder services, as well, was responding to that earlier call.

And so, air traffic control does dispatch those emergency response vehicles, and they are trained airport-specific. It's very big, important part of each airport. You must have first responders, fire, emergency medical, et cetera. And they are trained, specific to that airport, to know how to maneuver around the airport, to cross runways, to coordinate with air traffic control, not to get in the way of -- of the train -- or the planes and the other traffic. But they are trained specific to that airport.

So, that will be another point of investigation. But from what we've heard from the tape so far, they have been cleared across the runway and the plane landing had been cleared to land on the runway. The plane gets priority.

CORNISH: We're going to follow up today, learning more about the pilots who were killed and also the many people who were injured.

But before I let you go, can you talk about the ripple effects of an airport closure like this one? Right now, they're saying clear past noon.

SCHIAVO: Well, that's right. And especially for very busy airports like LaGuardia and the whole New York airspace. I mean, it's a very closely coordinated, operation. And when one is closed, of course, you will see ripple effects literally across the country.

Not so much international, because JFK in New York takes a lot of those international flights, or most of the international flights. But this will be a ripple effect, really, across the country. And it will -- it will stick around for several days, because as in days past, when we had lots of empty seats on planes, we don't any more. Our planes are flying at near full capacity, and it's a busy flight time. So, it will take a while for the system to recover.

CORNISH: We're both speaking around the big issue, though, which are the lines for TSA, right? Right now, that partial government shutdown means they are still going unpaid. Is this going to further disrupt things for travelers? SCHIAVO: Well, it will further disrupt things for travelers because

right now, everyone that was flying in and out of LaGuardia has to be rebooked. And all those people will most likely have to leave the airport and then come back in on their flights.

So, even people that you thought you had cleared through when they were ready to get on their planes are going to be exiting the airport, back out through security, getting new flight arrangements, and coming back in.

And look, you know, the TSA not being paid, it's -- there's just no other word for it other than outrageous. They are our first line of defense against terrorists and murderous attacks against airports, airlines, and passengers. And they are so vital.

[06:10:13]

And I've been flying for the last week and a half for work. And every time I talk to the TSA people there, they're very grateful that we thank them.

But the one I had yesterday said, you know, I've only got so much gas in my tank. And when it's gone, I can't come to work.

It's -- it's outrageous. We need the TSA desperately.

CORNISH: OK. Mary Schiavo, we'll be talking to you later today. Thank you so much.

And coming up on CNN THIS MORNING, we're going to continue to follow this breaking news, because nearly 80 people were on board that Air Canada flight when it collided with a fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia airport in New York. We're going to bring you the latest in a bit.

And this as ICE agents are being deployed to join the TSA at airports. Passengers, you're looking at a tough day ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They should get paid for the work they do. But I understand that the wheels of government need to turn, and they're going to get paid eventually. And I appreciate those ones that are out here today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:15:44]

CORNISH: We are continuing to follow breaking news out of LaGuardia Airport in New York.

A short time ago, officials gave an update on the deadly crash that happened between an Air Canada flight and a fire truck. Two pilots are dead. Dozens of people are injured.

Now, investigators have been on the scene since about 3:30 this morning, and we're told more arrived at six.

CNN's Shimon Prokupecz is live in New York. And you were at that press conference a few hours ago. What was their initial description of what happened?

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, this was just the Port Authority officials that were having this press conference, and they are very limited in what they can say because they're not actually doing this investigation.

So, we learned some very key points here, and that in order for the crash truck, this fire truck, very common procedure at airports, that when they are responding to something, they need to get clearance from air traffic control.

And that there was an emergency. They were actually responding to a call from a United flight that said that they were having some issues, and they requested emergency vehicles.

And so, that is why this crash truck, fire truck -- it's really known as a crash truck -- was on its way and headed towards the runway.

And based on what we can hear ourselves on air traffic control, they were cleared. They were cleared to proceed. And it seems that everything was OK and that they were following normal procedure. And then something went terribly, terribly wrong. And we have this collision.

I've been spending a lot of time inside the airport up on like its sixth and seventh floor of the parking garage, where you can actually see the plane and the crash truck. I mean, the front -- the front, the nose of this plane is completely in pieces. It would be very hard for someone who was sitting in those seats to survive.

And sadly, of course, we learned that the pilot and copilot were killed.

But also, the crash truck. I mean, these are heavy, heavy, heavy pieces of equipment. The crash truck is completely either upside down or on its side, just showing us the impact here. The sheer force of this impact.

So now, what will happen is, obviously, the NTSB will start to conduct this investigation, and hopefully, we will learn more.

But, you know, Audie, certainly -- I mean, I keep thinking about the air traffic controller because you could -- you could hear his voice on those -- on that audio. And just those moments and that sheer panic when he is telling the crash truck, crash truck to stop, stop, stop. And sadly, couldn't stop in time.

I think it's also important we heard from a passenger who said that the pilot, the pilot braked. They were coming in for this landing. This crash happens as the plane is landing, according to the Port Authority, and the pilots were braking.

And even though they were trying to stop, all they could possibly do was slow down and make this --

CORNISH: Shimon, hold on for one moment. I want to play that sound that you were referring to. Because you're describing what the passengers were feeling as they felt the pilot doing that braking. And then up in air traffic control, here's how they were seeing the situation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Frontier 4195, just stop there, please.

Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop. Truck One, stop, stop, stop.

Stop, Truck One. Stop!

Stop, Truck One. Stop!

JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle. Just hold position. I know you can't move. Vehicles are responding to you now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CORNISH: So, you have the two pilots who lost their lives. And then the two driving the fire truck, I'm hearing, are in stable condition.

PROKUPECZ: Yes, those are Port Authority. Actually, they're Port Authority police officers who have very specific training in how to deal with aircraft emergencies. It was a sergeant and an officer. Both are expected to be OK.

[06:20:12]

There were a number of other passengers that were injured. There were 41 passengers were transported to the hospital. Thirty-two have been released. So, nine remain in the hospital with various injuries, according to the Port Authority.

And there are going to be a lot of questions here that are going to need to be answered. Certainly, by air traffic control. And, you know, that will be the job for the NTSB.

But I mean, you just listen to those moments from that air traffic controller, trying to get that truck to stop.

And the other thing that's happening that I found so remarkable, and I always do with air traffic controllers, when I listen to this stuff, is there were other planes coming in for landing. There was a Delta flight, I believe, that was coming in for a landing.

And the air traffic controller, in dealing with this emergency was telling that plane to go around, go around, go around, trying to clear that space and the airspace and to prevent any other aircrafts from landing. Because my goodness, how bad that would have been. But obviously, there are a lot of questions, certainly, of air traffic

control, of those officers on the ground. And the NTSB already has a lot to work with between those air traffic control audio. And also, once they get their hands on the audio from the cockpit. So hopefully, we'll hear from the NTSB here soon.

CORNISH: OK. I want to play a clip from the news conference. Kathryn Garcia, the Port Authority executive director. Here's what she had to say about the NTSB earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KATHRYN GARCIA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK: Initial numbers indicate that 41 passengers and crew were transported to the hospital, as well as the officers.

At this time, we understand that 32 have been released, but there are also serious injuries.

Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased, and notifications are being made by Air Canada's care team at this time.

It is anticipated that the airport will be closed at least until 2 p.m. this afternoon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CORNISH: So, just a reminder to people: while there are no more ground stops, the airport itself is closed, right? And I assume it's still pretty busy this morning.

PROKUPECZ: Yes, it is. I walked through the airport. There are people here. Some people had to spend the night here. Some people are arriving to the airport to try and figure out what they should do.

I mean, you look on the boards here, every flight has been canceled, and people are trying to figure out how to get out, perhaps go home. Perhaps some people may have a vacation.

The other thing I want to point out, and I just -- I'm remembering this now, Audie, is that I asked the Port Authority director, whose sound you just played, if there were any concerns about the weather, if there were any abnormal conditions here at the airport during this time, around midnight, when this plane was coming in for the for the landing.

And she said, no, there were no reported issues. So, you know, though, it's raining and it has been raining here for most of the night. And now the morning. That, for now, doesn't seem to be -- seem to have played a role here.

But you know, when you look at the nose of this plane, just the damage is so striking.

And the other thing is these pilots and their ability to brake enough to slow this plane down to prevent further injuries, it's really important to note. Because sadly they died, but yet, they were able to stop this plane somehow.

CORNISH: OK, that's Shimon Prokupecz at LaGuardia Airport, where many people are arriving to find out that the airport is closed at least until 2 p.m. this afternoon after a crash between an Air Canada jet and a fire truck.

We'll have more on that after the break on CNN THIS MORNING.

In the meantime, please know that gas prices are still climbing. Oil is now above $110 a barrel. And with the Iran conflict essentially choking off global supply, experts warn this could get worse.

Plus, good morning to those watching us from Philadelphia International Airport. With the partial government shutdown, TSA wait times there are already nearly an hour, there and at some of the nation's biggest airports.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

CORNISH: OK. Welcome back. We are covering this tragedy at LaGuardia Airport. It comes amid renewed scrutiny of aviation safety after a series of deadly accidents last year.

Now, just last week, federal regulators moved to tighten some safety rules after the investigation into the midair collision near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people. That happened when a plane collided with a military helicopter.

Now, questions still remain about staffing, communication and the strain on the U.S. aviation system, especially as the partial government shutdown and TSA worker shortage continues.

So, we're bringing in now retired air traffic controller Harvey Scolnick. Harvey, thank you so much for being here.

So, obviously, we are following this crash this morning at LaGuardia, where you have a -- an Air Canada jet that crashes into a fire truck. The two pilots have been killed. And I know that the fire truck drivers, they are in stable condition.

I want to play for you what we're hearing this morning.

[06:30:00]