Local News
Horror Video shows Air Canada Flight AC8646 colliding with Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport
Newly surfaced video captures the moment Air Canada Flight AC8646 collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in a catastrophic incident that left both pilots dead and dozens of others injured.
According to officials, the crash involved a Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jet operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada.
The aircraft had just arrived from Montreal carrying 72 passengers and four crew members when it collided with the emergency vehicle on the runway.
Preliminary reports indicate that the impact caused devastating structural damage to the forward section of the aircraft, shearing off the nose and killing both the captain and first officer instantly.
The severity of the collision has been further underscored by emerging details from the scene, including accounts that one of the flight attendants was ejected from the aircraft during the crash sequence.
Multiple sources familiar with the response state that the forward flight attendant—typically stationed near the front of the CRJ-900—was found outside the aircraft still secured in her jumpseat, suggesting the force of the impact caused a catastrophic breach of the fuselage.
The second flight attendant, positioned toward the rear of the aircraft, is believed to have remained onboard and assisted passengers during the immediate aftermath.
Air traffic control audio has revealed the chaotic and rapidly unfolding moments leading up to the collision.
Controllers can reportedly be heard urgently attempting to stop the movement of the fire truck, issuing repeated commands as both the aircraft and the emergency vehicle entered the same active runway.
The truck had been cleared to cross while responding to a separate in-flight emergency, raising questions about coordination and situational awareness.
Emergency crews responded within minutes, triaging passengers and crew at the scene. Dozens were evaluated for injuries, with several individuals transported to nearby hospitals.
Injuries were also reported among personnel aboard the fire truck. Authorities have not yet released a full accounting of the conditions of all those involved.
In response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a ground stop at the airport, effectively suspending operations while emergency teams secured the area.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a full investigation and is working to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the fatal collision.
In a statement, company leadership at Jazz Aviation expressed condolences to the families of the deceased pilots and affirmed their full cooperation with investigators.
The tragedy has prompted renewed scrutiny of runway safety protocols, particularly regarding the coordination of emergency vehicle movements and air traffic control procedures during high-pressure situations.
The investigation remains ongoing as federal authorities continue to analyze evidence, including flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and air traffic communications, to identify contributing factors and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.