In the final seconds before impact, something changed that may have saved dozens of lives.
Passengers on board the Air Canada Express flight involved in the LaGuardia crash say the pilots made a last effort to reduce the impact.
That decision, they believe, prevented a far greater tragedy.
The crash killed both pilots but left most of the 76 people onboard alive.
What Happened on the Runway
The collision took place on March 22 at around 11:40 pm local time at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ 900 operated by Jazz Aviation, had arrived from Montreal.
As it landed on Runway 4, it collided with a fire truck that was crossing the runway to respond to another emergency.
The impact destroyed the cockpit area and caused significant damage to the aircraft.
Official aviation updates can be found at the Federal Aviation Administration.
Passengers Describe Final Moments
Rebecca Liquori, a passenger seated in an exit row, described the moments before the crash.
She said the plane experienced turbulence during descent and then landed roughly.
According to her account, the pilots appeared to brake hard in an effort to avoid the collision.
Seconds later, the aircraft struck the fire truck and passengers were thrown forward in their seats.
Liquori said she believes the pilots’ quick actions helped save lives.
Fatalities and Injuries
The captain and co pilot died from injuries sustained in the crash.
More than 40 people were injured, though many survived the impact.
The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members.
Emergency responders quickly evacuated passengers and secured the runway.
Experts Weigh In
Aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse said the damage shows how severe the impact was.
He noted that the energy involved in the crash could have led to far more fatalities.
Brickhouse said the pilots likely did everything they could in the final moments.
Information about aviation safety investigations is available at the National Transportation Safety Board.
A Story of Loss and Survival
Passengers expressed both gratitude and grief after the crash.
Many credited the pilots with helping them survive, even as the pilots themselves did not.
Liquori said she would not be alive if not for the actions taken in those final seconds.
The emotional weight of the event continues to grow as more survivors speak out.
What Comes Next
Investigators are now working to understand how the crash occurred.
They will review air traffic control decisions, runway activity, and communication between crews.
The findings could lead to changes in runway safety procedures.
For now, the focus remains on honoring the lives lost and understanding how a tragedy was partially prevented.