A tragic incident occurred at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Monday when a plane collided with a fire truck while landing, killing two pilots and injuring 32 passengers on an Air Canada Express plane.
According to Reuters, the plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members from Montreal. According to preliminary information, the fire truck was responding to another incident and was on the runway when it collided with an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft.
After the incident, officials detailed the weather conditions during collisionas well as airport staffing shortages, and the aftermath of the accident.
A rainy start to a pilot’s career: What does FAA Administrator Bedford say?
FAA Administrator Brian Bedford discussed the weather conditions at the time of the accident, saying the winds were moderate and the ceiling was “shattering.”
Reuters quoted Bedford as saying the weather was rainy at the time of the incident and visibility was about four miles. The FAA said that after the accident, the runway LaGuardia Airport The airport will be closed until Friday.
According to Reuters, Bedford further stated that the two pilots killed in the incident were in the early stages of their careers.
Air traffic controller shortage: What does the U.S. transportation secretary say?
Meanwhile, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that while LaGuardia Airport is “fully staffed,” it still faces a shortage of air traffic controllers, the Associated Press reported.
Duffy said there are currently 33 certified controllers, but the goal is 37. He said more than one controller was on duty at the time of the incident, but declined to provide details at this time. Duffy said LaGuardia will operate at reduced capacity “for some time.”
The transportation secretary further said that a FAA staff of ten officials was in New York investigating the crash, Reuters reported.
