The deadly collision between an Air Canada regional jet and an emergency truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport has exposed a persistent runway safety crisis. Federal Aviation Administration data shows 26 runway incidents between 2021 and 2025 where collisions were narrowly avoided, with another 52 incidents carrying significant collision potential.

These near-misses have occurred amid ongoing operating constraints and communication shortfalls at U.S. airports. The problem gained national attention after alarming close calls at airports in Austin, Texas, New York and Boston in 2023 prompted safety reviews. Despite improvements in 2024 and 2025, the fundamental issues remain unresolved.

Just last week, an Alaska Air plane flew over a FedEx freighter at Newark Liberty International Airport when both were attempting to land on crossing runways simultaneously. Aviation authorities have long warned that ground operations represent some of flying's biggest dangers, and the LaGuardia tragedy represents the exact scenario they've sought to prevent.