A key detail has been spotted in a terrifying audio clip that reveals the moments just before and after an Air Canada plane and a fire truck collided at LaGuardia airport in New York.
Two people were killed and at least 41 were injured in the incident.
Audio captured the moments before and after the crash
The incident took place at the New York airport overnight (March 22) and saw two members of the plane’s crew – believed to be the captain and first officer – killed when their plane arriving from Montréal hit a fire truck on the runway.
In total, it is believed that 76 people were on board the Air Canada Express flight that was being operated by Jazz Air.
Among those injured was a flight attendant who was reportedly ejected from the plane while strapped into her seat.
She survived, but was rushed to the hospital after the incident.
Shocking audio has since emerged that revealed the conversation between the air traffic controller (ATC) and the fire truck, as well as a Frontier plane from Miami that was set to depart shortly after.
In the clip, the ATC can be heard saying: “Truck One, stop, stop, stop!”
Then, in the immediate aftermath of the crash, he said to the plane: “JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle.
“Just hold position.
“I know you can’t move.
“Vehicles are responding to you now.”
Afterwards, the pilot of the Frontier plane can be heard saying: “That wasn’t good to watch.”
In a heartbreaking exchange, the ATC said: “Yeah, I tried to reach out to them. We were dealing with an emergency, and I messed up.”
The Frontier pilot then responded: “No, you did the best you could.”
Audio from air traffic control when an Air Canada plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York:
“Stop Truck 1, stop!”
“We were dealing with an emergency earlier and I messed up.”pic.twitter.com/gb18aAJQW3
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) March 23, 2026
Key detail missed in the audio clip
However, despite the words of the Frontier pilot, it does appear as if the audio clip confirms that both the fire truck and the Air Canada flight had clearance on the runway at the same time before the crash took place.
At the start of the clip, the fire truck operator can be heard asking for clearance, stating: “Truck one and company LaGuardia tower requesting to cross four at delta.”
Then, the tower responds: “Truck one and company, cross four at delta.”
We’ve already heard how things unfolded after that.
A full investigation will be launched into the circumstances that led to the crash.
A spokesperson for the New York Port Authority said: “Emergency response protocols were immediately activated.
“The Port Authority Police Department is on scene along with the agency’s Chairman and Executive Director,
“The Port Authority Police Department is working closely with our airline partners as well as federal authorities, and will provide additional updates as more details become available.”
Full timeline of the crash
- ~10:12 p.m. – Flight departs Montréal for New York.
- Late evening – Fire truck sent onto runway to respond to another aircraft issue.
- 11:37 p.m. – Truck cleared to cross runway.
- ~11:40 p.m. – Plane lands and collides with the truck.
- Immediately after – Two pilots killed; passengers and responders injured.
- Overnight – Emergency crews respond; injured taken to hospital.
- Shortly after – Airport shut down; flights diverted.
- Morning – Investigators arrive; major disruption continues.
