In brief
In less than a minute, what began as a routine landing for Air Canada Express Flight 8646 evolved into a catastrophic collision with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. Delays and miscommunication contributed to the disaster. This timeline outlines significant moments leading to the crash, from late departures to the eventual collision.
NEW YORK (PulseWire) — An ordinary landing turned tragic in less than a minute at New York's LaGuardia Airport when Air Canada Express Flight 8646 collided with a fire truck on the runway. This incident was the result of a series of critical events leading up to the crash.
A Delayed Departure
10:12 p.m.: Flight 8646 departs Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, 2 hours and 13 minutes behind schedule. On arrival in New York, it faces a queue of other late flights waiting for a gate.
Ground Issues
11:16:42 p.m.: United Flight 2384 aborts its takeoff due to an anti-ice system warning.
11:20:48 p.m.: The United pilot reports an odor on board, requesting the fire service. Another pilot mentions a possible sewer smell.
11:31:41 p.m.: The United pilot declares an emergency due to crew illness caused by the odor.
Final Preparations for Landing
11:34:18 p.m.: Air traffic controllers clear Flight 8646 to land on Runway 4/22.
11:36:45 p.m.: A fire truck receives clearance to cross the same runway as Flight 8646.
The Collision
11:37:15 p.m.: As Flight 8646 approaches, a frantic warning to the fire truck is issued: “Stop! Stop! Stop!”
11:37:25 p.m.: The plane collides with the fire truck, bringing a halt to a tragic series of events.
Aftermath
11:37:45 p.m.: The air traffic controller informs the next landing aircraft to go around, acknowledging the collision scene's seriousness.
Rescue teams rushed to the site, reflecting on the chilling chaos that unfolded at LaGuardia Airport. Investigations are ongoing to understand the full causes behind this devastating accident.
