Two Dead, Dozens Injured in LaGuardia Runway Collision

​NEW YORK — A harrowing late-night collision on a LaGuardia Airport runway has left two pilots dead and at least 41 people injured after an arriving Air Canada Express jet struck a Port Authority fire truck.

​The incident occurred at approximately 11:38 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Air Canada Flight 8646, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, had just arrived from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. As the aircraft decelerated on Runway 4, it slammed into a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle that was crossing the strip to respond to an unrelated emergency involving a United Airlines flight.

​The impact was devastating. The pilot and co-pilot of the regional jet were killed instantly as the aircraft’s nose and cockpit were crushed. Photos from the scene show the jet tilted upward on its tail, its front fuselage shredded and hanging with wires. Two Port Authority personnel inside the fire truck, identified as “Truck 1,” were hospitalized in stable condition with broken limbs.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Of the 72 passengers and four crew members on board, 41 were transported to local hospitals. While the majority of injuries were reported as minor, nine individuals remain hospitalized with serious conditions.

​”Our hearts go out to the families of the flight crew lost in this tragic accident,” said Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “We are working closely with federal investigators to determine how this occurred.”

​Preliminary audio from air traffic control (ATC) suggests a catastrophic communication failure. Recordings capture a controller clearing “Truck 1” to cross the runway, only to scream “Stop, stop, stop!” seconds before the collision.

​The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has deployed a “go-team” to investigate. LaGuardia Airport remains under a total ground stop and is expected to stay closed until at least 2:00 PM today as the investigation continues.