US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Urges Aircraft Travelers to Wear Seatbelts After Air Canada Plane Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is emphasizing the importance of seatbelts after a deadly Air Canada crash at LaGuardia Airport.

The incident, which occurred late Sunday night, tragically claimed the lives of both the pilot and co-pilot and left more than 40 people injured.

“Whenever you’re flying, wear your seatbelt,” Duffy stressed during a Monday briefing.

“The footage from the crash shows exactly why they can save lives.”

The collision has brought national attention to airport safety and the critical role of air travel protocols in preventing casualties.

The Crash That Shook LaGuardia

The Air Canada Bombardier CRJ-900 collided with a Port Authority fire truck around 11:45 p.m. Sunday.

The pilot, Antoine Forest, 30, from Coteau-du-Lac in Quebec, and first officer MacKenzie Gunther both perished in the accident.

Several passengers and emergency personnel were injured, including New York City firefighters Sergeant Michael Orsillo and Officer Adrian Baez, who are expected to survive.

Flight attendant Solange Tremblay survived a dramatic 330-foot ejection from the aircraft after being strapped into a jump seat.

Investigation Underway

Twenty-five specialists have been deployed to investigate the crash.

The NTSB successfully retrieved the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder after cutting a hole in the aircraft roof.

According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the cockpit recorder was undamaged, giving investigators a vital source of information on what went wrong.

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Air traffic control audio reveals that the fire truck had been cleared to cross the runway for a separate emergency before controllers urgently yelled, “Stop, stop, stop!” moments before the collision.

Eyewitness Accounts Highlight Heroism

Survivor Rebecca Liquori praised the pilots’ actions, saying they likely saved many lives.

“The crash happened so fast I thought I was gone,” she recalled.

“But the pilots did everything they could to protect us. My heart is broken for them.”

The Port Authority Police Benevolent Association also commended first responders who immediately evacuated passengers despite the uncertainty of their colleagues’ fate.

What Made the Crash Less Catastrophic

Safety experts point out that the aircraft’s exact position prevented a far worse outcome.

CNN analyst David Soucie noted that had the plane struck a different part of the fire truck—or if the truck had been slightly misaligned—the collision could have triggered a massive fire and significantly higher fatalities.

Air Travel Safety Concerns and National Context

The crash comes amid broader concerns over airport safety.

Federal Aviation Administration data highlights 291 high-risk “hot spots” at US airports where runway incidents and near-collisions are more likely.

President Trump weighed in on Monday, describing air travel as “dangerous” and noting the human error involved.

Meanwhile, TSA and ICE staffing issues due to a federal shutdown have compounded delays across US airports.

Impact and Consequences

• Two pilots killed and over 40 people injured in the LaGuardia collision.
• Flight operations at LaGuardia were halted until early Monday afternoon.
• National attention focused on airport safety protocols and emergency response procedures.
• Survivors and first responders have been praised for their quick actions, preventing further casualties.

What’s Next?

Investigators will continue analyzing the cockpit and flight data recorders to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.

The FAA and NTSB may review runway safety protocols and emergency response measures.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urges both air and car travelers to always wear seatbelts, highlighting that proper safety measures are a simple but life-saving precaution.

Summary

A late-night Air Canada crash at LaGuardia Airport tragically claimed the lives of two pilots while injuring dozens more, including firefighters and a flight attendant.

Quick thinking by first responders and the heroic efforts of the pilots helped prevent a larger disaster.

Investigators are analyzing flight data to understand what went wrong, and officials are calling on travelers to prioritize safety measures like seatbelts.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Air Canada CRJ-900 collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.
• Pilots Antoine Forest and MacKenzie Gunther were killed; over 40 others injured.
• Flight attendant Solange Tremblay survived a 330-foot ejection.
• Air traffic control had cleared the truck to cross runway prior to the crash.
• Survivor and official accounts praise pilots’ heroism and first responders’ professionalism.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urges travelers to always wear seatbelts.
• FAA data shows LaGuardia and other US airports contain high-risk runway hotspots.
• Investigation ongoing with cockpit voice and flight data recorders retrieved.