Tragic Collision at LaGuardia Airport: Air Canada Express Flight from Montreal Strikes Fire Truck on Runway, Killing Two Pilots and Injuring Dozens
In a devastating incident late Sunday night, March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) while landing, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot and injuries to dozens of passengers and crew. The crash, which occurred around 11:40 p.m. EDT, has led to a full closure of the busy New York airport and widespread flight disruptions across the region.
The flight, identified as Air Canada Express Flight 8646 (operated by Jazz Aviation LP on behalf of Air Canada), was a Bombardier CRJ-900 arriving from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL). According to preliminary passenger manifests released by Jazz Aviation, the aircraft carried 72 passengers and four crew members. The collision happened moments after touchdown, with the plane’s nose shearing off upon impact with the fire truck, which was reportedly responding to a separate incident on or near the runway.
Emergency responders from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Port Authority Police, and other agencies swarmed the scene immediately. Photos and video from the aftermath show the severely damaged jet with its front fuselage crushed and pointing upward, debris scattered across the runway, and the fire truck overturned or heavily damaged off to the side. No fire broke out on the aircraft, but the impact caused significant structural failure in the cockpit area.
Authorities confirmed that the two fatalities were the flight’s pilot and co-pilot. Approximately 41 people — including passengers, remaining crew, and possibly ground personnel — were transported to area hospitals, with some sustaining serious injuries. Passenger accounts emerging from the scene described a sudden, violent jolt upon landing, followed by chaos as emergency slides deployed and evacuation proceeded.
”The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Early reports, including air traffic control audio circulating online, indicate the tower issued clearance for vehicles to cross the runway or taxiway, followed by urgent commands to “STOP, STOP, STOP!” just before the collision. Flight tracking data from sources like FlightRadar24 showed the aircraft approaching at a normal descent before the sudden halt on the runway.
LaGuardia Airport remains closed to all arrivals and departures until at least 2 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 23, 2026, to allow for wreckage removal, runway cleanup, and the ongoing investigation. Inbound flights have been diverted to nearby hubs such as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), leading to hundreds of cancellations and delays rippling through the New York airspace.
Air Canada and Jazz Aviation released statements expressing deep sorrow for the loss of life and confirming full cooperation with investigators. Jazz Aviation stated: “We are devastated by this tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families of the crew members who lost their lives, as well as those injured and all affected.
