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"I messed up," says an air traffic controller after an accident at a New York airport

"We were dealing with an emergency before. I messed up," the air traffic controller declared to a pilot.

"I messed up," says an air traffic controller after an accident at a New York airport

TL;DR

  • An air traffic controller admitted to "messing up" via radio after a plane and fire truck collision at LaGuardia Airport.
  • The collision killed two pilots; fire truck drivers were injured.
  • The incident occurred on runway 4, involving an Air Canada flight from Montreal and a Port Authority fire truck.
  • Audio suggests the controller was managing a prior emergency and had authorized the fire truck to cross the runway before attempting to stop it.
  • LaGuardia Airport was closed until at least 2 PM local time.
  • US President Donald Trump commented on the accident, calling it "terrible."