Passengers aboard the Air Canada flight involved in the deadly incident at New York’s LaGuardia Airport have begun sharing detailed accounts of the moments leading up to the crash, consistently pointing to the actions of the two pilots as decisive in saving lives. Survivors described a sudden shift in the aircraft’s movement just before impact, suggesting an attempt to reduce speed and control the situation. One passenger stated:
«I wouldn’t be here had it not been for the pilot acting quickly.»
The testimony has quickly shaped the narrative surrounding the tragedy, with many describing the pilots’ final actions as heroic under extreme pressure.
«I fully believe that these two pilots, who unfortunately lost their lives, did everything in their power to stop the plane and slow it down at the very last minute.»
-A passenger aboard Air Canada Express Flight 8646
The incident unfolded late on March 22 as Air Canada Express Flight 8646, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, was completing its descent into LaGuardia after departing from Montréal. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was cleared to land while a Port Authority vehicle was simultaneously authorized to cross the same runway. In the final seconds, air traffic control attempted to halt the vehicle, but the timing proved insufficient. The aircraft struck the vehicle upon landing, triggering a violent collision that caused significant structural damage to the front of the plane and immediate chaos inside the cabin.
Survivors have described a sequence of rapid actions from the cockpit as the situation became critical. One passenger explained «I fully believe that these two pilots, who unfortunately lost their lives, did everything in their power to stop the plane and slow it down at the very last minute,» adding:
«They deserve all the credit for being heroes that day.»
Aviation specialists note that such last-second maneuvers, including braking and thrust adjustments, can significantly influence the severity of an impact, supporting the accounts provided by those on board who felt a noticeable deceleration before the crash.
Additional testimonies have reinforced the belief that the pilots attempted every possible measure to avoid a more catastrophic outcome.
«Someone did say the pilot tried to reverse thrust at the last second. Honestly, they likely saved our lives,» another traveler said on social media Reddit.
«I wish I could tell their families how thankful I am. They are heroes,» he added.
These comments have circulated widely online, contributing to a growing consensus that the crew’s response, though ultimately unable to prevent the crash, played a crucial role in limiting the loss of life among passengers and cabin crew.
The crash resulted in the deaths of both pilots, while dozens of passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe. Emergency services responded within minutes, evacuating survivors and securing the wreckage as authorities shut down portions of the airport. Investigators have since begun analyzing air traffic communications, runway procedures and aircraft data to determine how two separate clearances were issued simultaneously. The focus remains on identifying systemic failures, as early indications suggest that the sequence of events involved multiple breakdowns rather than a single point of error.
«I wish I could tell their families how thankful I am. They are heroes.»
-A passenger aboard Air Canada Express Flight 8646
Political leaders reacted swiftly to the tragedy, acknowledging both the scale of the incident and the actions of the flight crew.
Donald Trump described the crash as «terrible» and stated «It’s a dangerous business,» while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the event «deeply saddening» and extended condolences to the victims’ families. As the investigation continues, the accounts from passengers have placed the pilots at the center of the story, with many insisting their final decisions prevented a far greater disaster and ensured that dozens of people survived what could have been a far deadlier accident.
