RUNWAY SAFETY SYSTEM FAILED TO ALERT BEFORE AIR CANADA JET HIT FIRE TRUCK AT LAGUARDIA, KILLING TWO PILOTS. (PHOTO).

 Runway safety system failed to alert before Air Canada jet hit fire truck at LaGuardia, killing two pilots

 An Air Canada jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport Sunday night, killing both pilots and injuring dozens, after a runway safety system designed to track surface movement failed to alert controllers. The Jazz Aviation-operated flight had just landed from Montreal with four crew members and 72 passengers when it struck a rescue vehicle responding to another incident. Preliminary data indicate the plane was traveling between 93 and 105 mph at the time of impact. At least 41 people were hospitalized, though most have since been treated and released.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the fire truck lacked a transponder, preventing the tracking system from generating an alert. Investigators are reviewing cockpit voice recordings, tower communications, and shift change procedures, with NTSB officials noting that major accidents rarely result from a single failure. Passengers described the emergency evacuation, sliding from the plane’s wing under guidance from FDNY and Port Authority officers. LaGuardia remained closed for over 12 hours and the runway where the collision occurred will stay shut until Friday morning as the investigation continues.