Mon Mar 23 13:33:10 UTC 2026: # Air Canada Jet Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia, Killing Two
The Story:
A tragic incident occurred at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday, March 22, 2026, when an Air Canada Express jet collided with a fire truck on Runway 4. The collision resulted in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft. The airport was immediately shut down, and all flights were halted to allow for a thorough investigation by U.S. aviation authorities.
The Air Canada Express plane, operated by Jazz Aviation as flight AC8646 from Montreal, struck the Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle at approximately 11:40 p.m. The impact left the plane tilted back on its tail with a heavily damaged cockpit. While several passengers were injured, the majority have been released from the hospital.
Key Points:
- The incident occurred on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 11:40 p.m. at LaGuardia Airport.
- An Air Canada Express jet (flight AC8646) collided with a fire truck on Runway 4.
- The pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada jet were killed.
- 41 people were taken to the hospital, with 32 subsequently released.
- The airport was closed and is expected to remain shut until at least 2 p.m. (6 p.m. GMT) on March 23, 2026.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a “go team” to investigate.
- The aircraft involved was a CRJ-900.
- Prior to the accident, LaGuardia was experiencing flight disruptions due to poor weather and staffing impacts related to federal funding lapses.
Key Takeaways:
- The collision highlights potential safety concerns regarding ground operations at busy airports, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
- The incident underscores the importance of thorough investigations to determine the root causes of such accidents and prevent future occurrences.
- Staffing shortages and funding lapses may contribute to increased risks in airport operations and security.
First Piper 