LaGuardia tragedy: two pilots killed as runway-crossing fire truck prompts probe

Two pilots of a Canada Air Express jet died when their aircraft collided with a Port Authority fire truck during landing at LaGuardia. Preliminary NTSB data show the fire truck was cleared to cross Runway 4 about 20 seconds before impact, with radio transmissions and controller duties reportedly conflicting. Investigators are examining runway-crossing procedures, communications, and airport operations. The pilots, identified by Canadian outlets as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, were credited with saving the lives of 72 passengers and the two surviving crew members; the truck driver and a Port Authority officer were injured. This was LaGuardia’s first fatal crash in more than 30 years.