ATC Audio Reveals Final Moments Before Runway Collision at LaGuardia
A newly surfaced air traffic control recording is shedding light on the tense final seconds before a late-night collision at LaGuardia Airport. The audio captures controllers urgently attempting to halt a ground vehicle that mistakenly entered an active runway—just moments before it was struck by an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft.
The recording begins with what appears to be a routine instruction, granting clearance for a truck to cross the runway. Within seconds, however, the tone shifts dramatically as controllers realize the danger. Urgent commands—“Stop, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1, stop!”—can be heard as they try to prevent the vehicle from moving into the aircraft’s path.
In the aftermath, controllers quickly moved to contain the situation and avoid further risk. Pilots were instructed to abort approaches, including one flight ordered to “go around,” while another confirmed visual contact with the collision. Operations were immediately halted, with officials declaring the runway closed as emergency protocols were activated.
