Chilling LaGuardia Airport ATC audio surfaces after Air Canada Express-fire truck collision; how a vehicle on the runway resulted in a crash

A dramatic air traffic control (ATC) audio clip circulating on social media has revealed the tense final moments before an aircraft emergency at LaGuardia Airport. In the recording, controllers can be heard urgently shouting, “Stop, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1, stop,” as they attempt to halt a ground vehicle crossing an active runway.

The audio, which has not been independently verified, captures what appears to be a routine exchange turning into a high-risk situation within seconds.

LaGuardia Airport aircraft crash

The incident involved an Air Canada Express flight, identified as AC8646, which originated from Montreal. The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, reportedly collided with a ground vehicle, believed to be a fire truck, while landing late Sunday night.

Flight tracking data shared by Flightradar24 indicated that operations at the airport were halted soon after the collision, as emergency protocols were activated.

ATC audio captures Air Canada Express collision

The ATC audio provides a clearer sequence of events through direct exchanges between controllers and ground crews.

The situation begins routinely with clearance instructions “Truck 1 and Company, LaGuardia Tower, requesting to cross at 4 at Delta. Truck 1 and Company, cross 4 at Delta. Truck 1 and Company, crossing 4 at Delta.”

Moments later, urgency escalates sharply as the controller realizes the imminent danger:

“Frontier 4195, just stop there, please. Stop, stop, stop, stop, Truck 1, stop, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1, stop.”

Following the apparent collision, the focus shifts to damage control and preventing further incidents:

“Delta 2603, go around, runway heading 2000.”

“Jazz 646, I see you collide with a vehicle.”

“Hold position, I know you can’t move. The vehicle is responding to you now.”

As confusion spreads, multiple confirmations about runway status are heard:

“Runway 4-2-2 is closed at this time. I repeat, runway 4-2-2 is closed at this time.”

“LaGuardia Airport is closed at this time.”

LaGuardia Airport ground stop

In response, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop at LaGuardia, halting all inbound and outbound flights. Official notices cited an “emergency” and warned that the halt could be extended, indicating the severity of the runway incident.

Injury reports of Air Canada Express flight crash

Initial reports indicate that at least four individuals were injured in the collision, including members of the flight crew. The pilot and co-pilot are believed to be among those seriously hurt, though authorities have not yet released full medical details.

Visual evidence from the scene suggests significant damage to the aircraft, particularly in the forward section, consistent with a runway collision involving a large ground vehicle.