Air Canada Plane Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport, Pilot and Co-Pilot Killed

Fresh York, NY – A tragic collision at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) late Sunday night resulted in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet and injuries to multiple individuals, prompting a complete shutdown of the airport. The incident occurred when the aircraft struck a Port Authority fire truck on the runway.

Details of the Collision

The Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, was arriving from Montreal, Canada. According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft landed at approximately 11:37 PM local time [1]. The plane, Jazz Airlines Flight 646, collided with a fire truck near Runway 04 as it was landing, while the truck was cleared to cross the runway [1].

Fatalities and Injuries

Authorities have confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash [2], [3]. At least two people on the fire truck were similarly injured, and initial reports suggest dozens of others sustained injuries, with five critically injured [1]. The fire truck was operated by police officers, and at least two of them sustained broken limbs and were in stable condition [2].

Damage to Aircraft and Airport Status

Images from the scene reveal significant damage to the front of the CRJ-900, with the aircraft tipping back onto its tail [1]. The nose of the plane was tilted upward, and the cockpit and front fuselage sustained catastrophic damage [1], [2]. LaGuardia Airport was immediately closed following the incident and is expected to remain closed until at least 2:00 PM on Monday, March 23, 2026 [2]. As of Monday morning, 18 flights had been diverted to other airports in the New York area or returned to their origin [2].

Passengers and Crew

The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members [2], [3]. Preliminary reports indicate no major injuries among the passengers [3].

Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to investigate the cause of the collision [2]. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is also conducting an investigation.