Air Canada Express Jet Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters.

Late Sunday night, an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck on an active runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, prompting a complete ground stop by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to reporting by Reuters, the incident was initially highlighted by the flight tracking website FlightRadar24, drawing immediate attention to the severe runway incursion.

The collision involved Flight 8646, a Bombardier CRJ-900LR operated by Air Canada’s regional partner, Jazz Aviation. The flight was arriving from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) with approximately 72 passengers and four crew members on board. Incident reports indicate the aircraft struck the emergency vehicle at approximately 24 mph while landing on Runway 4, resulting in catastrophic damage to the plane and multiple critical injuries among first responders and the flight crew.

The airport remains closed to incoming and outgoing flights, causing significant disruptions for Monday morning commuters across the United States. Authorities have advised travelers to expect widespread cancellations, delays, and road closures as emergency personnel secure the scene and investigators begin their work.

The Collision and Air Traffic Control Response

Sequence of Events

The incident occurred between 11:38 PM and 11:40 PM EDT on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Based on available incident reports, a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle was crossing Runway 4 to respond to an unrelated emergency. A United Airlines 737 MAX had reportedly declared a ground emergency and requested fire assistance due to a strange cabin odor that was sickening flight attendants.

Airports control (ATC) audio reveals a rapidly deteriorating situation. Controllers initially cleared the fire truck to cross the runway at an intersection. Seconds later, realizing the impending danger of the landing Air Canada jet, the controller urgently attempted to halt the vehicle.

“Stop, stop, stop, Truck 1, stop!”

Following the impact, controllers instructed the Air Canada pilots to hold their position, acknowledging the collision and confirming that emergency vehicles were responding directly to the aircraft. To prevent further disaster, ATC immediately diverted other approaching flights, ordering them to abort their landings and go around.

Casualties, Damage, and Airport Impact

Injuries and Aircraft Damage

The collision caused severe damage to the nose and front fuselage of the CRJ-900. Images from the scene show the front of the aircraft crushed and tilted upwards, with the cockpit and front galley sustaining heavy destruction.

Dozens of injuries have been reported in the wake of the crash. According to preliminary reports, the pilot and co-pilot sustained severe injuries, while four Port Authority firefighters inside the truck were critically injured. Two Port Authority police officers suffered broken limbs, and over 60 passengers were treated for minor injuries. There are also unconfirmed reports of fatalities; however, official authorities have not yet released a final casualty count, and these reports remain unverified.

Operational Disruptions

The FAA immediately issued a ground stop for all flights at LaGuardia. Reuters noted that the ground stop effectively halted all movement at the airport, creating a massive ripple effect for the national airspace system.

The closure is expected to last until at least 2:00 PM EDT on Monday, March 23, with the FAA noting a high probability of extension. Arriving flights have been diverted to other regional airports or returned to their origins. New York’s emergency management authority has warned the public to expect heavy traffic, road closures, and a massive presence of emergency personnel in the Queens borough.

AirPro News analysis

We note that runway incursions remain a critical Safety focus for the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The presence of an emergency vehicle on an active runway while a commercial jet is landing highlights potential systemic communication breakdowns. The fact that the ARFF vehicle was responding to a separate United Airlines emergency adds a layer of complexity to the incident, showing how compounding emergencies can strain airport operations. Investigators will likely scrutinize the air traffic control clearance protocols, the heavy rain reported earlier in the evening that left the runway wet, and the situational awareness of both the flight crew and the ground vehicle operators.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the collision at LaGuardia Airport happen?
The collision occurred late Sunday night, March 22, 2026, at approximately 11:38 PM EDT.

What aircraft was involved?
The incident involved an Air Canada Express Commercial-Aircraft CRJ-900LR, operated by Jazz Aviation, and a Port Authority fire truck.

Is LaGuardia Airport open?
As of Monday morning, the FAA has issued a ground stop. The airport is closed to flights until at least 2:00 PM EDT on March 23, with potential extensions likely.

Sources

• Reuters