Eyewitnesses have described the moment Air Canada flight AC8646 crashed into a fire truck on the runway of New York's LaGuardia airport, killing two pilots and injuring dozens of others. 'We were literally like 100 metres away,' says 23-year-old Leo Medina, who was onboard another plane on the tarmac when the crash happened. 'It was like the plane got cut in half.' After visiting the crash site on Monday, US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy emphasized the crucial role played by seat belts in saving lives during travel. 'As you see from last night, they do save lives,' he stated. One of the deceased pilots has been identified as 30-year-old Quebec native Antoine Forest. FAA administrator Bran Bedford expressed his sorrow over the loss, highlighting the pilots' promising careers cut short. The incident, which occurred at 23:40 local time on Sunday, also resulted in 41 injuries, with some victims hospitalized in serious condition. Passenger Rebecca Liquori recalled hearing a loud 'boom' right after landing. Amidst the chaos, many passengers assisted each other in evacuating the aircraft. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the crash a 'tragic collision,' assuring the public that the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a thorough investigation. The crash raised significant concerns amid TSA staffing shortages, leaving LaGuardia in disarray with many delayed or canceled flights.