NTSB Investigates Fatal LaGuardia Airport Collision

NTSB Investigates Fatal LaGuardia Airport Collision

Federal investigators are working to determine the cause of a tragic collision at LaGuardia Airport last night. An Air Canada Express flight collided with an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle while landing. The incident occurred around 11:37 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, involving a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. Tragically, two firefighters in the vehicle also lost their lives.

Investigators On Scene

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the crash. NTSB Board Member, who is on their first training launch, is leading the effort. They are joined by Doug Brazy, a senior aviation accident investigator with 34 years of experience at the NTSB. The agency, an independent federal body, investigates all civil aviation accidents in the U.S.

The NTSB team began arriving at the scene early this morning, but the process has been challenging. “It’s been a really big challenge to get the entire team here and they’re still arriving as I speak,” stated the NTSB spokesperson. Travel disruptions, including a ground stop at Newark and long TSA lines, impacted the arrival of specialists. Around 25 investigators are expected on-site, with many more supporting from NTSB headquarters in Washington D.C.

Scene Examination and Evidence Collection

Investigators conducted a walking inspection of the crash site, which is described as having a “tremendous amount of debris.” Safety precautions are a priority as investigators navigate the scene, which includes hazardous materials from the firefighting vehicle. The tail of the aircraft is on the ground, making access to critical data recorders difficult.

The Port Authority and emergency responders cut a hole in the aircraft’s roof to retrieve the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR). One investigator immediately transported these recorders to NTSB labs in Washington D.C. The CVR has been verified as undamaged, and work on the FDR is set to begin. The NTSB hopes to share preliminary findings from these recorders tomorrow.

Investigative Groups Formed

The NTSB has established several specialized groups to examine different aspects of the accident:

• Operations Group: Will look into the aircraft operator, its procedures, and training.
• Systems Group: Will examine the aircraft’s hydraulic, electrical, navigational, and flight control systems.
• Structures Group: Will document wreckage and calculate impact angles.
• Air Traffic Control Group: Will focus on communications and tower operations.
• CVR/FDR Group: Will analyze the data from the recorders.
• Airport Operations and Survival Factors Group: Will investigate airport rescue and firefighting operations and injuries related to the crash dynamics.

In addition to the recorders, investigators are collecting surveillance video and requesting Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDI) replays. This technology can show the location of aircraft and vehicles on the airport surface, helping to determine if the firefighting vehicle was visible on the display provided to the air traffic controller.

Addressing Key Questions

During a press briefing, NTSB officials acknowledged the many questions surrounding the event, particularly regarding air traffic control staffing and communications. However, they stressed their commitment to verifying all information before releasing it. “The NTSB deals in facts. We don’t speculate. We don’t take one person at their word. We verify that information carefully before we provide it,” the spokesperson stated.

Regarding staffing in the tower, the NTSB is examining sign-in sheets, interviews, time cards, and official records to confirm who was on duty and their roles. Information about the pilot backgrounds and the firefighting vehicle’s capabilities, such as weight and contents, is also being gathered and verified.

The NTSB is also working with Transport Canada, as the operator is Air Canada Express. Canadian technical advisors are expected to join the investigation team.

What’s Next

The NTSB anticipates sharing more information tomorrow after further analysis of the flight data recorder and other collected evidence. The investigation is expected to take days, if not longer, to thoroughly examine the extensive debris and all contributing factors. The agency will continue to focus on gathering and verifying facts to ensure a complete and accurate understanding of the collision.

Source: LIVE: Officials give updates after fatal LaGuardia Airport collision | NBC News (YouTube)