NEW YORK (VINnews) — A former U.S. Department of Transportation official told the New York Post that a deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport was an avoidable error and reflects a breakdown in coordination by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Mary Schiavo, a former DOT inspector general, said confusion between control tower and ground control likely played a role in the crash, which killed two pilots and injured dozens.

She said air traffic control operations require close coordination between tower and ground controllers, and that a failure in that system could explain how a fire truck was on the runway while an aircraft had landing clearance.

The collision occurred late Sunday when an Air Canada regional jet struck a fire truck on the runway, causing severe damage to the aircraft. Two pilots were killed and dozens of passengers and crew were injured, authorities said.

The incident remains under investigation. Schiavo said the situation suggests a breakdown in procedures and oversight, though officials have not yet determined a final cause.