Air Canada Jet Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia, Killing Both Pilots
Latest York, NY – Both pilots were killed after an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, March 22, 2026, leading to the closure of the airport and significant flight disruptions. Dozens of others were injured in the incident.
Details of the Collision
The Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, was arriving from Montreal when it struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle on Runway 4 at approximately 11:40 PM on Sunday, according to reports from the Guardian. The fire truck was reportedly being operated by police officers and was en route to respond to another incident involving a United Airlines flight that had rejected takeoff due to an odor in the cabin.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicates the aircraft was traveling at approximately 24 mph at the time of impact. Photos taken after the accident show damage to the nose of the plane, which was tilted upward.
Casualties and Injuries
NBC News reported that the pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada Express jet died in the collision. At least 13 other people were injured, including 11 passengers and two first responders, according to NBC New York. A sergeant and an officer from the Port Authority who were in the fire truck sustained broken limbs but are in stable condition.
Airport Closure and Flight Disruptions
LaGuardia Airport was immediately closed following the incident and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for all departures. The airport is expected to remain closed until at least 2:00 PM on Monday, March 23, 2026, according to the FAA. Fox News reports that the closure could extend to 6:00 PM GMT. As of Monday morning, 18 flights had been diverted to other airports in the New York area or returned to their origin, according to Flightradar24.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a “go team” to LaGuardia Airport to investigate the cause of the collision. The FAA is likewise conducting an investigation.
Background
The aircraft involved, a CRJ-900, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, although the passenger list is still subject to final confirmation. Jazz Aviation is a regional partner of Air Canada and is owned by Chorus Aviation. LaGuardia Airport served 33.5 million passengers in 2024, making it New York’s third-busiest airport.