Deadly Runway Collision: Air Canada Jet Strikes Firetruck at New York Airport

2026-03-23 companies

New York City, Monday, 23 March 2026.
Two died after an Air Canada jet struck a firetruck at LaGuardia Airport. Tragically, the truck was crossing the runway for a separate emergency, triggering a total airport shutdown.

A Tragic Convergence on Runway 4

On the late evening of Sunday, March 22, 2026, Jazz Airlines Flight 646, operating as an Air Canada Express service, touched down at New York’s LaGuardia Airport following a significantly delayed departure from Montreal [4]. The aircraft, a 20-year-old Bombardier CRJ-900LR, landed on Runway 4 at approximately 23:37 local time [4][6]. As the twin-jet aircraft was decelerating to a ground speed of 10.8 meters per second—equivalent to 38.88 kilometers per hour—it struck an airport firefighting vehicle [3][4]. The flight had departed Montreal at 22:35, meaning it was delayed by a total of 156 minutes from its scheduled 19:59 departure time [4].

Casualties and Communication Breakdown

The ground collision yielded devastating human consequences. Initial reports confirmed two fatalities at the scene [4][8]. The Port Authority vehicle involved was manned by police officers and firefighters; at least four firefighters sustained critical injuries [1][3]. Furthermore, the impact severely injured the flight’s pilot and copilot, while up to 70 passengers reported various injuries [2][4]. Two Port Authority officers, a sergeant and an officer, suffered broken limbs but were stabilized at a local hospital [2]. [alert! ‘Passenger count varies slightly across initial reports, ranging from 76 to roughly 100 individuals on board’] [1][2]

Systemic Disruptions and Regulatory Scrutiny

The immediate aftermath of the crash paralyzed one of New York City’s vital transportation arteries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) swiftly issued a ground stop for all inbound and outbound flights at LaGuardia, citing an aircraft emergency with a high probability of extended disruption [3][5]. Arriving flights were subsequently diverted to nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport [4]. LaGuardia, which typically handles an average of more than 400 flights daily, faces extensive logistical hurdles as Monday morning delays and cancellations cascade through the regional airspace network [4][5].

Sources

Aviation safety Air Canada