A deadly runway collision at LaGuardia Airport that killed two pilots and injured over 40 people could have been prevented, according to an expert from the Department of Transportation.
The crash occurred late Sunday when an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 struck a fire truck while landing. The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members.
Former US Department of Transportation inspector general Mary Schiavo said the incident was “entirely avoidable,” pointing to a critical breakdown in coordination between ground control and the control tower.
Schiavo explained that there appeared to be confusion between air traffic control teams responsible for managing aircraft and those handling ground vehicles.
Harvey Sconick, a retired air traffic controller with more than 38 years of experience at the FAA, also blamed the controller for the crash, saying they “went brain-dead” for a minute.
The crash remains under investigation.
