“I Messed Up”: Controller Admits Error After Deadly New York Air Tragedy

Air traffic controller admits serious error

LaGuardia crash leaves fatalities

Investigation underway after air accident

According to EFE, an air traffic controller at New York’s LaGuardia Airport admitted making a mistake minutes after a collision between an airplane and a fire truck that left two pilots dead, as audio recordings continue to surface during the LaGuardia airport crash investigation.

Why it matters: The accident has placed air traffic control procedures under intense scrutiny, particularly the decisions made seconds before the impact at one of the busiest airports in the United States.

Controller admits error after the collision

BREAKING; footage has emerged of Air Canada flight that collided with a fire engine at LaGuardia Airport pic.twitter.com/NLnctdxQIo

— NewsX (@news_xuk) March 23, 2026

The air traffic controller involved in the incident admitted over the radio that he had “messed up” shortly after the crash.

“We were dealing with an emergency before. I messed up,” he told a pilot in a recorded communication.

The conversation took place less than 20 minutes after the accident on runway 4.

The incident involved a plane from Air Canada arriving from Montreal and a fire truck operated by the Port Authority.

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The emergency vehicle was heading to respond to another incident on the runway when the collision occurred.

A Frontier Airlines pilot who witnessed the crash described the scene:

“It wasn’t pleasant to see,” he said before being instructed to return to the gate.

The controller reiterated his responsibility during the exchange:

“Yes, I know. I tried to contact them,” he said after acknowledging the error.

Two dead and dozens affected

ATC audio captures moment Air Canada Express flight AC8646 collided with the truck. pic.twitter.com/WsoAUT4P4j

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) March 23, 2026

The LaGuardia airport crash resulted in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft.

The firefighters operating the truck were injured.

Additionally, 41 passengers and crew members were taken to hospitals.

Of those, 32 have already been discharged.

LaGuardia Airport was closed following the incident.

Authorities reported it would remain closed at least until 2:00 PM local time.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the plane crash as “terrible.”

“They made a mistake. It’s a dangerous job. It’s terrible,” he said.

Local and state authorities also expressed condolences and stated they are monitoring the situation.

Ongoing investigation into the runway collision and black box recovery

LaGuardia Airport Crash Investigation: Controller Admits Error – PHOTO: EFE

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the causes of the accident, central to the LaGuardia airport crash investigation.

Additional audio recordings reveal that the controller had authorized the fire truck to cross the runway.

The vehicle was responding to a report of a strange odor on another aircraft before landing.

In another recording, the controller can be heard attempting to stop the crossing:

“Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop, Truck 1. Stop,” he ordered—unsuccessfully.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recovered the aircraft’s black box.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that it was necessary to open the aircraft’s roof to access the devices.

The materials were transported to laboratories in Washington, D.C., where it was confirmed that the black box was not damaged.

Homendy indicated that more information is expected to be released in the coming hours.

She also noted that the NTSB will send 25 specialists to the crash site.

Authorities will examine various components of the aircraft, including hydraulic systems, tires, and air traffic control and emergency response operations.

The LaGuardia airport crash investigation continues as officials work to determine exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.