Air Canada Express Flight Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport, Resulting in Fatalities and Injuries

An Air Canada Express flight from Montreal collided with a fire truck during landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot and injuring several others. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada Express, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. The collision occurred around 11:47 p.m. as the plane was landing at approximately 30 mph. The fire truck was responding to a separate incident involving another aircraft.

Air traffic control recordings reveal that the controller attempted to retract the fire truck's clearance moments before the crash, unsuccessfully warning the vehicle multiple times. The collision left the jet’s nose crushed and tilted, with passengers evacuated via emergency stairways.

In addition to the fatalities, 41 individuals were injured, including 39 passengers and two fire truck crew members. Most of the injured have since been discharged from hospital care.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop at LaGuardia Airport, which was expected to remain closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday. Many flights were diverted to nearby airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the incident, with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada assisting in accordance with international agreements.