An audio recording from air traffic controllers’ communications reportedly captures the moments following the collision of an Air Canada Express flight with a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York, on Sunday evening.

According to Newsweek, the audio, reportedly recorded by LiveATC.net a few minutes after the incident, features one controller saying: “That wasn’t good.” In response, another controller says: “Yes, I know, I was here, I tried to communicate… we were dealing with an earlier emergency, I messed it up.”

Audio from Air Traffic Control when plane collided with fire truck at New York airport:

"Stop Truck 1, stop!"

"We were dealing with an emergency earlier and I messed up" pic.twitter.com/7dJcFov4gq

— BNO News (@BNONews) March 23, 2026

Then the reply is heard: “No, you did the best you could,” reflecting the tense atmosphere following the incident.

Earlier in the same audio, a vehicle identified as “Truck 1” requests permission to cross the runway. Seconds after clearance was given, an air traffic controller is heard repeatedly ordering the vehicle to stop.

“Stop, stop, stop… Truck 1, stop!” is heard, seconds before the collision.

Air Canada Express pilot and co-pilot dead

Closing
The pilot and co-pilot lost their lives after their airplane collided on Sunday evening with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York, U.S. media reported, including NBC News, CNN, and ABC.

ABC clarified that 13 people are hospitalized – 11 passengers and 2 individuals in the vehicle. The airport remains closed until further notice following the accident.

NBC News reported, citing sources, that the fire truck was manned by police officers. Earlier reports indicated two officers were hospitalized with fractures, but their condition is stable.

The Air Canada Express CRJ-900 plane, operated by Jazz Aviation, a partner of Air Canada Express, carried 72 passengers and a four-member crew and had departed from Montreal, according to a preliminary passenger list that has not been confirmed. Jazz Aviation is part of Chorus Aviation.

The plane collided with the fire truck at a speed of 39 km/h, Flightradar24 reported, which had recorded data until 11:37 p.m. local time (05:37 Greece time).

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the airport is expected to remain closed until 2 p.m. local time today (20:00 Greece time). LaGuardia’s website shows flights are being diverted to other airports or returning to their origin airport.

🚨#BREAKING: Officials have just announced that both the pilot and co-pilot have tragically been confirmed dead following the plane collision with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York. pic.twitter.com/EXX4JRyNzj

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 23, 2026

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stated that the fire truck was responding to an incident when it collided with the plane on Runway 4 of the airport.

According to New York’s emergency alert system, cancellations are expected at LaGuardia Airport, along with traffic delays in the surrounding area.