LaGuardia Airport Crash: Two Pilots Dead, Dozens Injured in Air Canada Jet Collision

A regional Air Canada jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York City late Sunday, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to dozens of passengers and Port Authority personnel. The incident prompted a temporary shutdown of the airport, causing significant travel disruptions.

Details of the Collision

The collision occurred around 11:40 p.m. On Sunday, March 23, 2026, involving Air Canada Express Flight 8646, operated by Jazz Aviation, which had arrived from Montreal. The plane, a CRJ-900, struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle as it was landing. The ARFF vehicle was responding to a separate, unrelated incident at the time of the collision .

According to reports, the plane was traveling between 93 and 105 mph at the time of impact . The impact demolished the front of the airplane.

Casualties and Injuries

Tragically, both pilots aboard the Air Canada jet were killed in the crash . At least 43 passengers were transported to local hospitals for treatment . As of Monday morning, 32 of those passengers had been released . Two Port Authority officers who were in the fire truck were also injured and hospitalized in stable condition .

Airport Closure and Investigation

LaGuardia Airport was closed following the incident – the airport’s first fatal crash in three decades – and reopened at 2 p.m. On Monday, March 24, 2026 . The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the collision .

Passenger Accounts

Passengers on board the flight described preparing for a rough landing prior to the collision . One passenger seated at an emergency exit credited the pilots’ actions with saving lives . Remarkably, a Canadian flight attendant was ejected from the plane during the crash and survived .

Key Takeaways

• A regional Air Canada jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport on March 23, 2026.
• Both pilots were killed, and dozens were injured.
• The airport was temporarily closed for investigation and reopened on March 24, 2026.
• The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash.