LaGuardia plane crash latest: Investigators probe whether air-traffic controller was distracted by ‘sick crew’ on another flight
Flights resumed from airport Monday afternoon, shortly after first runway reopened following deadly collision
BigThink
The FAA is investigating whether a potential distraction involving a separate United Airlines flight contributed to Sunday’s fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport, The New York Times reports
According to the report, controllers were managing a medical emergency involving a mysterious odor that was “sickening flight attendants” on a United jet just as they cleared a Port Authority fire truck to cross the runway in the path of a landing Air Canada flight.
The flight from Montreal was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the impact. Pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther were killed in the collision, while dozens more were injured.
Newly released footage captures the moment of the crash. An air traffic dispatcher is heard saying “I messed up” on recorded tower audio.
National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy stated Tuesday that the crash almost certainly involved “multiple failures” rather than a single point of error. Homendy warned against placing sole blame at this stage.
About 40 people were taken to nearby hospitals with various injuries, though authorities confirmed most were released by Monday morning.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted the incident serves as a reminder for passengers to "wear your seatbelts" even during taxiing and landing.
While LaGuardia reopened one runway Monday afternoon, the crash site remains closed.
Recap: Investigation ongoing after Air Canada passenger plane in deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport
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Joe Sommerlad24 March 2026 09:00
FAA probes controller distraction in LaGuardia crash
The FAA is investigating whether a potential distraction involving a separate United Airlines flight contributed to Sunday’s fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport
According to reports from The New York Times, controllers were managing a medical emergency involving a mysterious odor that was “sickening flight attendants” on a United jet just as they cleared a Port Authority fire truck to cross the runway in the path of a landing Air Canada flight.
While aviation experts have questioned staffing levels, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy dismissed these concerns, noting that having two controllers on duty during lighter night traffic is standard procedure.
Jasmine Fernández24 March 2026 15:50
TSA delays stall LaGuardia investigators
National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy said that dozens of investigators were delayed reaching New York due to massive TSA security lines.
Some team members were stuck for hours in Houston and other airports across the country, with one air traffic control specialist waiting three hours before officials had to intervene to get her through.
The delay meant the full team did not arrive until early Tuesday morning, more than 24 hours after the Sunday night crash.
Jasmine Fernández24 March 2026 15:34
NTSB: 'Multiple failures' likely in LaGuardia crash
National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy stated Tuesday that the fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport almost certainly involved “multiple failures” rather than a single point of error.
While an air traffic controller was heard saying they “messed up” shortly after the Air Canada plane struck a fire truck, Homendy warned against placing sole blame at this stage.
“We have found in all of our investigations that it is not a single error that led to a terrible tragedy,” Homendy told Fox News. “Our aviation system is incredibly safe and it takes multiple failures to occur for an accident like this.”
Jasmine Fernández24 March 2026 15:12
Second LaGuardia crash victim, pilot Mackenzie Gunther, identified
Seneca Polytechnic has confirmed that alumnus Mackenzie Gunther was the first officer on the Air Canada Express flight from Montreal that crashed at LaGuardia Airport.
A 2023 graduate of the school’s aviation program, Gunther joined Jazz Aviation immediately after his studies. Seneca released a statement sharing their condolences with his family and friends, noting that flags at all campuses will fly at half-mast today, March 24, in his honor.
Jasmine Fernández24 March 2026 14:51
In pictures: Damaged Air Canada jet seen on runway as investigation into collision continues
Joe Sommerlad24 March 2026 13:30
Passenger describes LaGuardia collision as ‘like a car crash at 200 mph’
Jack Cabot, who was on the Air Canada flight involved in Sunday night’s incident, has been describing his experiences of what happened to Fox News.
Joe Sommerlad24 March 2026 13:00
Analysis: Airport chaos and lines will only get worse as Trump keeps the Senate laser-focused on his SAVE act
The president’s demand that Republicans link a bill that cannot pass the Senate to Homeland Security funding is sure to backfire, writes Eric Garcia – and Americans are paying the price.
Joe Sommerlad24 March 2026 12:30
Watch: NTSB says partial shutdown and long TSA lines have delayed response to LaGuardia plane crash
Joe Sommerlad24 March 2026 12:00
Air Canada pilot killed in truck collision had been flying since he was 16, family say
Relatives of Antoine Forest, 30, have confirmed that the Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, native was one of the two pilots who died in Sunday’s crash.
Family members spoke with The Toronto Star Monday to identify Forest, who lived in the small town located about 25 miles southwest of Montreal.
Forest’s great-aunt, Jeannette Gagnier – whom he considered a grandmother – told the Star that he had been flying since he was 16 years old.
“He was always taking courses and flying,” Gagnier said, recalling how he first learned to pilot bush planes as a teenager. “He never stopped.”
Jasmine Fernandez reports.
Joe Sommerlad24 March 2026 11:30
