The Air Canada Jazz Aviation Flight 8646 crash at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday claimed the lives of both pilots. The Bombardier CRJ-900, carrying 76 passengers from Montreal, struck a Port Authority truck while landing, despite having the right of way.
Passenger 22-year-old Jack Cabot recalled the chaos: “blood everywhere,” passengers injured, and a flight attendant thrown nearly 300 feet but surviving with her daughter. Cabot described people helping each other—sharing clothing, tending to injuries, and comforting fellow travelers, including a young girl flying alone.
Seated near the wing, Cabot said evacuation took nearly two hours, with those near the front needing the most help. He suffered whiplash and was checked for a concussion, but considered himself lucky.
“The last 12 seconds were crazy… then a huge bang,” he said, praising the humanity of passengers helping one another amid the terror.
Our thoughts are with the pilots’ families and all affected by this tragic crash.