LaGuardia Crash Debris Removed as Most Injured Passengers Recover

Cleanup crews have cleared the wreckage from Sunday's fatal collision between an Air Canada flight and fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. Most of the 40 injured passengers have been discharged from hospitals, though four remain under medical care.

NEW YORK — Cleanup operations concluded Wednesday at LaGuardia Airport as workers removed the damaged Air Canada aircraft involved in Sunday’s fatal runway collision, while the airline reported that most injured passengers have been discharged from medical facilities.

Air Canada announced that only four passengers remain hospitalized following the devastating crash that claimed the lives of two pilots. Approximately 40 individuals received medical treatment at local hospitals for various injuries, with some sustaining serious trauma. The airline has not released additional information about the four patients still receiving care.

The Montreal-bound aircraft was transporting 76 individuals, including crew members, when it struck a fire vehicle that had entered the runway. Moments prior to impact, air traffic control had authorized the emergency vehicle to traverse the runway.

Since Monday, debris from the accident had occupied the tarmac, shutting down one of two runways at the heavily trafficked airport.

Removal operations began around 5 p.m. Wednesday as airport personnel used specialized equipment to clear the wreckage. Two heavy-duty tow trucks worked together to upright the severely damaged fire vehicle, which had remained overturned since the collision.

Workers placed the aircraft’s rear section on a massive dolly and used two coordinated vehicles with extended cables to transport it. Earlier Wednesday, crews had cut away much of the completely destroyed nose section. The aircraft’s middle portion rested on its undamaged landing gear during the removal process.

Air Canada stated the aircraft will be relocated to a hangar facility. The carrier plans to begin returning personal items and luggage to passengers soon.

Following the impact, numerous passengers successfully evacuated the compromised aircraft, including a flight attendant who was ejected onto the runway while still secured in her seat but survived.

Officials have identified the deceased pilots as Mackenzie Gunther and Antoine Forest. Passenger Clément Lelièvre praised their “incredible reflexes” for preserving lives, highlighting how they applied maximum braking power upon landing.

Both Port Authority Police Department firefighters aboard the emergency vehicle survived the collision.