A fire truck without a transponder contributed to a runway collision with an Air Canada Express plane at LaGuardia Airport Sunday evening, according to the NTSB.
Warning System Failure Due to Missing Transponder
Jennifer Homendy stated during a press conference that the warning system failed to function correctly because the fire truck was not equipped with a transponder. Air traffic controllers need to be aware of everything on the airfield and in the airspace to ensure safety.
Homendy added that while the agency hasn’t formally recommended mandatory transponders for airport vehicles, she believes they should have them.
Collision Details at LaGuardia Airport
The accident occurred Sunday evening when an Air Canada Express aircraft was landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York. The plane collided with a fire truck that had entered the runway with permission to inspect another aircraft.
The NTSB determined that one controller authorized the fire truck to cross the runway just 20 seconds before the collision, when the aircraft was approximately 30 meters above the ground.
Investigation Ongoing: Warnings and Controller Workload
Investigators are still determining if the two occupants of the fire truck heard the final warnings from the tower to stop. The NTSB has not yet interviewed the firefighters and has not established whether they attempted to brake or steer to avoid the impact.
Homendy cautioned that it is too early to blame the controllers, noting they were working in a high-demand environment. Two controllers were on duty during the incident, which aligns with the standard for a LaGuardia night shift.
Two Pilots Dead, Runway Remains Closed
The Air Canada Express flight had 72 passengers and four crew members on board. The pilot and first officer were killed in the crash—the first fatalities in such an incident at LaGuardia in 34 years. Approximately 40 people, including two from the fire truck, were hospitalized, most of whom have since been discharged.
Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. The damaged runway remains closed for the investigation. On Tuesday, about one-quarter of LaGuardia flights were canceled, with average delays exceeding four hours.
