Summary (tl;dr)

An Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport, resulting in the deaths of the plane's two pilots and several injuries.

Essential Background

Prior to this incident, LaGuardia Airport had experienced other ground collisions, including two United Airlines jets in November 2025 and two Delta planes in early October 2025, although those incidents did not result in fatalities. The airport has been a busy hub, serving over 30 million annual passengers in 2025.

The Full Story

On the evening of Sunday, March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express flight (AC8646), a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation and arriving from Montreal, collided with a Port Authority fire truck on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport as it was landing. The collision occurred around 11:38 PM local time at a speed of approximately 24 miles per hour (39 kph). Tragically, the pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada Express jet were killed in the crash. Additionally, at least 13 other people, including 11 passengers and two Port Authority police officers (a sergeant and an officer) who were in the fire truck, sustained injuries, with some reportedly suffering broken bones. Audio recordings from air traffic control indicate urgent instructions to "Truck 1" to stop crossing the runway just moments before the collision. The impact caused significant damage to the nose of the aircraft, which was seen tilted upward. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for all flights at LaGuardia Airport, leading to diversions and cancellations, and the airport was expected to remain closed for an extended period. The fire truck was reportedly responding to a separate incident involving a United 737 Max flight that had declared an emergency due to a strange odor.

Why It Matters

This incident is significant due to the tragic loss of life, the injuries sustained by passengers and emergency personnel, and the severe disruption to air travel at one of New York City's busiest airports. The collision also raises serious questions about runway safety and coordination between air traffic control and ground vehicles, especially given that the fire truck was reportedly cleared to cross the runway while the plane was landing. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA will be crucial in determining the exact cause and preventing similar incidents in the future.

Geographic Location

• LaGuardia Airport, Queens, New York City, New York, United States (plane collision with fire truck on runway)