Air Canada Flight Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia, Killing Two Pilots
An Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck during landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to dozens of passengers.
An Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck during landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to dozens of passengers.
Air Canada Express Flight 8646, operated by Jazz Aviation, departed from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport on March 22, 2026, carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. Upon landing at LaGuardia Airport, the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft struck an airport firefighting truck on Runway 4, causing significant damage to the aircraft's nose and cockpit area.
Both pilots were killed in the collision. A flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft while still secured in her seat; she survived but sustained multiple fractures. Approximately 40 passengers and crew members were transported to local hospitals, with nine remaining under care the following day.
Air traffic control recordings revealed urgent commands for the fire truck to stop prior to the collision. An air traffic controller was heard saying, "Stop there, please. Stop, stop, stop. Truck 1, stop. Truck 1, stop. Stop Truck 1, stop."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the incident, with assistance from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
LaGuardia Airport was closed following the accident and reopened the following day at 2 p.m. Flights were diverted to nearby airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.