fatal collision LaGuardia Airport There could have been a greater loss of life, but one aviation expert said “sheer luck” would have helped limit the damage.
An Air Canada Express jet crashed into a Port Authority fire truck while landing late Sunday night, killing two pilots and injuring dozens on board and on the ground. However, the specific point of impact plays a key role in preventing catastrophic fires.
David Soucie, a former Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector, told CNN that the plane hit “right in the middle of the fire truck,” which pushed the truck forward and limited most of the damage to the nose of the plane.
Also read: Crew shortages, rainy weather: Officials’ take on LaGuardia crash
“Could cause many, many deaths”
Suzy believes that small differences in positioning can drastically change the results. If the truck is 40 feet ahead or behind, the plane could hit the wing, engine or fuel tank.
“It would have started a fire and … killed a lot of people,” he said.
“While this is a tragedy for the two people we lost, it was pure luck,” he added, adding that the location of the impact significantly reduced the death toll.
Chaos on the runway
this collision The incident occurred around 11:45 p.m. as the plane approached the Queens runway. The recording showed air traffic control initially giving the fire trucks permission to pass. Soon after, controllers made an emergency stop after realizing the plane was making its final approach.
The resulting collision destroyed the fire truck, severely damaged the aircraft and scattered debris on the runway.
Casualties and investigation
The accident injured more than 40 passengers, crew members and two police officers eventthough officials said many of those hospitalized were later discharged.
Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Brian Bedford described the two pilots who died as “young men just starting out in their careers.” One victim was reportedly identified as Antoine Forest.
Authorities are currently investigating a series of events that led to a miscommunication at the runway.
