An audio recording capturing air traffic control communications after the fatal collision between an aircraft and fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York has been released. According to Newsweek, the audio allegedly recorded by LiveATC.net just minutes after the incident reveals one controller saying: “That was not good.” In response, another controller states: “Yeah I know, I was here, I tried to communicate… we were dealing with an emergency earlier, I messed up.” The reply follows: “No, you did the best you could,” capturing the tense atmosphere that prevailed after the incident. Earlier in the same audio, a vehicle referred to as “Truck 1” requests permission to cross the runway. Seconds after permission is granted, an air traffic controller can be heard repeatedly ordering the vehicle to stop.
Shocking audio recording from the aircraft collision with fire truck in New York
“Stop, stop, stop… Truck 1, stop!” can be heard just seconds before the collision. It’s noted that the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft lost their lives in the crash, while ABC News clarified that 13 people are hospitalized – 11 passengers and 2 people who were inside the vehicle. The airport was closed until further notice following this tragedy. NBC News reported, citing sources, that the fire truck was manned by police officers. Earlier reports indicated that two police officers were hospitalized with fractures, but their condition is stable.
LaGuardia Airport remains closed
The Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation, an Air Canada Express partner, was carrying 72 passengers and a four-member crew and had departed from Montreal, according to a preliminary passenger list that has not been confirmed. Jazz is owned by Chorus Aviation. The aircraft collided with the fire truck at a speed of 39 km/h, as announced by Flightradar24. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the airport is expected to remain closed until today at 2 p.m. (local time, 8:00 p.m. Greek time). LaGuardia’s website shows that flights are being diverted to other airports or returning to their departure airports. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that the fire truck was responding to an incident when it collided with the aircraft on Runway 4. According to New York’s emergency alert system, flight cancellations and traffic delays in the area are expected at LaGuardia Airport.
Audio from Air Traffic Control when plane collided with fire truck at New York airport:
“Stop Truck 1, stop!”
“We were dealing with an emergency earlier and I messed up” pic.twitter.com/7dJcFov4gq
— BNO News (@BNONews) March 23, 2026
🚨#BREAKING: Officials have just announced that both the pilot and co-pilot have tragically been confirmed dead following the plane collision with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York. pic.twitter.com/EXX4JRyNzj
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 23, 2026
