Expert Has Two-Word Explanation for Why LaGuardia Crash Wasn't Deadlier

Last night's runway crash involving an Air Canada jet and a Port Authority fire truck at New York City's LaGuardia Airport resulted in the deaths of two pilots and sent more than 40 other people to the hospital, some with serious injuries.

Yet as tragic as the situation is, the outcome could have been "much, much worse" if not for "pure luck," says a former safety inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

'Pure luck' saved lives

CNN safety analyst David Soucie, a onetime FAA inspector, said Monday that more lives would have been lost if the Air Canada jet didn't strike the fire truck in the manner it did.

“This could have been much, much worse,” Soucie said. “Because that aircraft hit directly in the middle of the fire truck, the fire truck was moved forward, and the aircraft was damaged in the nose.”

If the collision occurred in a different spot, “it would have struck against the wing, the fuel cells, the engines and would have created a huge fire and … many, many fatalities,” Soucie said.

“So as tragic as this is for the two that we’ve lost, just out of pure luck, that airplane hit in the middle of that fire truck and reduced the number of fatalities significantly," he added.

More details on the deadly crash

The accident occurred at around 11:40 p.m. ET Sunday, according to a statement from LaGaurdia Airport. The Air Canada plane was reportedly carrying 72 passengers and four crew members.

Both the pilot and co-pilot of the jet were killed, and 41 other people were taken to the hospital. As of this afternoon, 32 of those 41 had been released.

Two of those hospitalized were Port Authority firefighters, but both are expected to be discharged soon, according to NBC News.

"Both were taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital," said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia, who identified the men as Sgt. Michael Orsillo and Officer Adrian Baez. "We expect one to be released later this afternoon, and the other to be kept overnight for observation."