LaGuardia Plane Crash: Two Pilots Killed After Air Canada Jet Collides with Fire Truck on Runway

A tragic aviation incident unfolded at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night when an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a firefighting vehicle on the runway, killing both pilots and sending dozens of passengers to area hospitals .

The airport remains closed as federal investigators begin the painstaking process of determining what went wrong in the moments leading up to the devastating collision .

What Happened: A Timeline of the Crash

The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 22, 2026, on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport .

Air Canada Express Flight 8646, a CRJ-900 regional jet operated by Jazz Aviation, had just arrived from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport with 72 passengers and 4 crew members on board . The flight had departed Montreal at about 10:35 p.m. ET and landed at LaGuardia approximately one hour later .

As the aircraft was taxiing after landing, it struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle that was responding to a separate, unrelated incident on the same runway . The force of the collision caused significant damage to both the aircraft and the fire truck.

Emergency response protocols were immediately activated, and the airport was closed to all traffic .

The Victims: Two Pilots Confirmed Dead

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia confirmed during a news conference early Monday morning that both pilots aboard the aircraft lost their lives in the collision .

“The two pilots are confirmed deceased,” Garcia told reporters, adding that Air Canada was in the process of notifying their families .

The identities of the pilots have not yet been released publicly pending family notification.

Two Port Authority employees who were inside the firefighting vehicle survived the crash. Garcia said she visited both officers in the hospital and confirmed they were conscious, stable, and speaking with no life-threatening injuries .

Injuries: 41 Taken to Hospital, 9 Remain

A total of 41 passengers and crew members were transported to area hospitals following the crash, according to Port Authority officials .

As of Monday morning, 32 of those individuals had been released, leaving nine people still hospitalized, some with serious injuries .

Initial reports had suggested a much higher number of injuries, with some unconfirmed accounts citing “more than 100 passengers” injured . However, official figures from the Port Authority paint a clearer picture of the human toll.

“The individuals who remain hospitalized have serious injuries,” Garcia said, though she did not provide specific details about their conditions .

Airport Closure: LaGuardia Shut Down Until at Least 2 p.m.

LaGuardia Airport was closed immediately following the incident and is expected to remain shut down until at least 2:00 p.m. ET (18:00 GMT) on Monday to allow investigators to examine the scene .

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop order at 12:04 a.m. ET, halting all incoming and outgoing flights .

The Port Authority has advised travelers to expect significant disruptions and to check with their airlines for flight status updates. All streets and highway exits leading to the airport remain closed until further notice .

ATC Audio: ‘Stop, Stop, Stop!’

Air traffic control audio captured in the moments before the crash reveals a frantic attempt to avert the disaster .

According to recordings from the website LiveATC.net, a controller had initially granted permission for an operations vehicle to cross the runway. Moments later, the controller began urgently ordering the vehicle to stop .

“Stop, stop, stop!” the controller can be heard saying repeatedly .

But it was too late. The controller then radioed the aircraft: “JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle. Just hold position. I know you can’t move. Vehicles are responding to you now” .

The recordings suggest that runway coordination may have broken down in the moments before impact. The fire truck had reportedly been responding to a separate incident on the same runway, though details about that initial incident remain unclear .

The Aircraft and Vehicle: Severe Damage Visible

Images from the scene show the devastating aftermath of the collision.

The CRJ-900 aircraft came to rest with its nose severely damaged and tilted upward into the air . The front of the plane was destroyed, with wires and flight controls visible dangling from the fuselage .

The Port Authority firefighting vehicle was lying on its side near the aircraft, surrounded by debris .

The CRJ-900 is a regional jet manufactured by Mitsubishi (formerly Bombardier) that typically seats about 76 passengers . The aircraft involved in Sunday’s crash was operating as Air Canada Express Flight 8646, a route Jazz Aviation flies regularly between Montreal and New York .

Investigation: NTSB Deploys Team to LaGuardia

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has deployed a team to LaGuardia Airport to investigate the cause of the collision .

Investigators are expected to examine several key factors, including:

• The sequence of communications between air traffic control, the aircraft, and the fire truck

• Why the firefighting vehicle was on the active runway

• Weather conditions at the time (light rain and fog had been reported in the area)

• Whether any communication breakdowns occurred in the moments before impact

The FAA has confirmed that the airport closure will remain in effect as long as necessary to allow for a thorough investigation .

Official Statements: ‘A Tragic Night’

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia expressed condolences to the families of the victims during an early morning news conference.

“Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased,” Garcia said, her voice heavy with emotion .

She added that she had personally visited the two injured Port Authority officers at the hospital and that they were able to speak with her.

The New York City Fire Department and Police Department both responded to the scene, with FDNY advising residents to “expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays and emergency personnel near LaGuardia Airport” .

Jazz Aviation, which operated the flight on behalf of Air Canada, released a brief statement confirming the incident but offering few details pending the investigation.

“Further details will follow as soon as possible,” the statement read .

Impact on Travelers: Widespread Disruptions

The closure of LaGuardia—one of the New York metropolitan area’s three major airports—has caused significant travel disruptions.

Incoming flights have been diverted to other airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) . Departing flights have been cancelled or delayed indefinitely.

Travelers are advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport and to expect residual delays even after LaGuardia reopens.

The Port Authority has not yet announced when normal operations might resume beyond the initial 2:00 p.m. ET target, noting that the closure could be extended depending on the needs of the investigation .

A History of LaGuardia Runway Incidents

While fatal collisions between aircraft and ground vehicles are rare, LaGuardia Airport has seen its share of runway incidents over the years due to its compact layout and high traffic volume.

The airport’s intersecting runways have long been a point of concern for aviation safety experts. The configuration requires precise coordination between air traffic control, pilots, and ground vehicles—coordination that, in Sunday night’s case, appears to have broken down with tragic consequences.

The NTSB investigation will likely examine whether the airport’s runway layout or operational procedures contributed to the circumstances that led to the collision .

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next

As investigators begin their work at LaGuardia, the focus will shift to understanding exactly what happened in the final moments before the crash and whether any systemic issues need to be addressed.

The NTSB is expected to release preliminary findings in the coming days, though a full investigation could take months or even years to complete.

For now, the families of the two pilots who lost their lives are mourning, while dozens of passengers and crew members are recovering from their injuries.

“It’s a tragic night for all involved,” Garcia said. “We are focused on supporting the families and ensuring a thorough investigation” .

Quick Facts: LaGuardia Plane Crash

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This is a developing story. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.