Air Canada Express Plane Collides with Fire Engine at LaGuardia Airport – Pilots Killed

Two Killed as Air Canada Jet Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport

A late-night collision at LaGuardia Airport in New York City has resulted in the deaths of both pilots aboard an Air Canada Express regional jet. The aircraft struck a Port Authority fire truck on Runway 4 shortly before midnight on Sunday, March 22, 2026, leading to significant injuries and the temporary closure of the airport. The incident, involving Jazz Aviation flight AC8646 arriving from Montreal, is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

What We Know: A Timeline of Events

The sequence of events began around 11:40 p.m. Sunday, when the Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, was nearing the finish of its landing procedure. Simultaneously, a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle was responding to a separate, earlier incident at the airport. According to air traffic control audio obtained by LiveATC.net, a United Airlines flight had reported an odor onboard, prompting the dispatch of fire crews. Minutes before the collision, the fire truck received clearance to cross Runway 4. Moments later, controllers issued repeated commands to “Stop, stop, stop” to the truck before the impact occurred. The plane was traveling approximately 30 mph at the time of the collision, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

Confirmed Injuries and Airport Status

Tragically, the pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada Express flight did not survive the impact. Two Port Authority police officers who were operating the fire truck sustained broken limbs and are currently in stable condition at a local hospital. More than a dozen passengers onboard the flight, which carried 72 passengers and four crew members, suffered varying degrees of injuries and were transported to Elmhurst and Queens Presbyterian Hospitals. LaGuardia Airport was initially expected to remain closed until 2 p.m. Local time on Monday, March 23, 2026, but the duration of the closure remains fluid as investigators assess the damage and secure the scene. As of Monday morning, 18 flights had been diverted to other airports in the New York area or returned to their origin points, according to Flightradar24.

The Aircraft and Operators Involved

The aircraft involved was a Bombardier CRJ-900 twin-jet, a common regional airliner. Jazz Aviation, a Canadian regional airline, operates the flight as Air Canada Express. Jazz is, in turn, owned by Chorus Aviation. Air Canada has acknowledged the incident and is cooperating with authorities. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is also conducting its own internal review of the circumstances surrounding the collision. You can find more information about LaGuardia Airport and its operations on the Port Authority’s website: https://www.panynj.gov/airports/laguardia.html.

What Remains Unclear

While the immediate aftermath of the collision is becoming clearer, several key details remain under investigation. The cause of the collision is currently unknown. Authorities have not yet specified the nature of the “separate incident” that initially prompted the fire truck’s response. The precise sequence of events leading up to the impact, including communication between air traffic control and the fire truck, is still being analyzed. The NTSB’s investigation will likely focus on factors such as visibility, runway conditions, and adherence to safety protocols. The preliminary passenger list of 72 remains subject to confirmation.

The Role of the NTSB and FAA

The NTSB, the federal agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents, has deployed a team of technical experts to LaGuardia Airport. The team will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to determine the probable cause of the collision. The FAA is also conducting a parallel investigation, focusing on air traffic control procedures and compliance with regulations. The FAA’s investigation will assess whether any systemic issues contributed to the accident. You can learn more about the NTSB’s investigative process here: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/process/Pages/default.aspx.

LaGuardia Airport: A Hub in Transition

LaGuardia Airport, serving over 30 million passengers annually in 2025, is currently undergoing a multi-billion dollar redevelopment project to modernize its facilities. The airport is a major hub for several US airlines, including Delta, American, and United. The incident raises questions about the coordination of emergency response activities during the ongoing construction and the potential impact on airport operations. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey provides detailed information about the airport’s redevelopment project on its website: https://www.laguardiarebuilds.com/.

Here’s a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.