NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Monday, March 23, 2026
Mar 24, 2026
Guest
Correspondent (Jesse Kirsch / Gabe Gutierrez / Steve Patterson / Priscilla Thompson / Liz Kreutz / Others)
Guest
Correspondent (Sam Brock / Tom Costello / Others)
Jesse Kirsch, Gabe Gutierrez, Steve Patterson, Priscilla Thompson, Liz Kreutz and Sam Brock - NBC News reporters covering airport safety, international tensions, Hawaii flooding, meteor sightings, investigative timelines, and live field reporting. They walk through a LaGuardia collision, security line changes, global developments, natural disaster damage, a meteorite strike, and police investigations in concise, fast-paced segments.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Single Controller Error Triggered Major LaGuardia Shutdown
- The LaGuardia collision exposed how a single operational lapse can cascade into mass disruption across the air system.
- An Air Canada Express jet struck a Port Authority firefighting vehicle after a controller cleared the truck to cross, killing both pilots and triggering 700+ cancellations.
Survivor Accounts Show Harrowing Evacuation Details
- Passengers described chaotic moments and dramatic escapes after the crash, illustrating the human toll.
- A flight attendant was reportedly ejected and found about 300 feet away in her jump seat while people climbed off the wing.
Common Night Shift Practices Can Raise Risk
- Staffing practices like having one controller cover two positions are common late at night but can increase risk in complex situations.
- LaGuardia had 34 of 37 positions filled, yet sources say one controller was managing both tower and ground duties during the accident.