"Wear Seatbelts": After LaGuardia Plane Crash, Transport Secretary's First Statement Out

A late-night aviation accident at LaGuardia Airport left two pilots dead and dozens injured after a passenger aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway. The aircraft, a CJR900 operated by Air Canada Express and Jazz, was traveling from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members on board. The collision occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m., sending around 40 people to the hospital, though several have since been released. Authorities confirmed that both pilots died in the crash, prompting condolences to their families. Officials said the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have launched a full investigation, which could take months to complete. Despite the incident, LaGuardia Airport has reopened with reduced capacity as recovery and investigation efforts continue.