Freya Scott-Turner
Live reporter

Image source, Reuters

Officials are still piecing together what caused an Air Canada Express plane to crash into a vehicle on the tarmac of one of the United States’ busiest airports.

Here’s a look back at how it unfolded:

22:12 ET (02:12 GMT): Air Canada flight AC8646 departs Montreal, Canada, over two hours late, according to tracking website FlightAware.

“Minutes before” 23:40: A Port Authority rescue and firefighter vehicle is called to a separate issue on a plane at LaGuardia Airport in New York, that had “requested support”.

At approximately 23:40: The plane collides with the firefighter vehicle on the ground while landing at LaGuardia.

23:40: Emergency services “immediately responded”.

03:09: LaGuardia Airport says that the “airport is currently closed” due to the incident.

At around 03:30: The “first portion” of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – the investigation team – arrives.

04:48: Port Authority Chief Executive Kathryn Garcia holds a press conference, confirming that two Air Canada pilots have been killed, and nine people remain in hospital.

Looking ahead:

14:00: Officials say this is the earliest time that LaGuardia Airport could reopen, as the investigation is still currently under way on site.