LaGuardia closed after deadly collision

Photo: CNN

LaGuardia Closed After Deadly Collision

LaGuardia Airport in New York was shut down after a tragic collision late Sunday night between an Air Canada Express regional jet and a Port Authority fire truck, killing the pilot and co-pilot and injuring more than 40 people. The closure has grounded hundreds of flights and triggered a federal investigation.  

On Sunday, March 22, 2026, at approximately 11:40 p.m., Air Canada Express Flight 8646, a CRJ-900 jet arriving from Montreal, struck a Port Authority fire truck while landing on Runway 4.

The fire truck had been responding to a separate emergency involving another aircraft that reported an onboard odor. Despite urgent warnings from air traffic control to stop, the truck crossed the runway and was hit by the jet.

The pilot and co-pilot were pronounced dead at the scene, while 41 passengers, crew members, and fire personnel sustained injuries and were taken to area hospitals. Emergency responders flooded the runway within minutes, but the front of the aircraft was demolished in the collision.

These were the immediate Impact: - Airport Closure: LaGuardia Airport was completely shut down and is expected to remain closed until at least Monday afternoon.  

- Flight Disruptions: More than 500 flights were canceled or diverted, affecting travelers across the U.S. and Canada.  

- Passenger Response: Many stranded passengers were rerouted to JFK and Newark airports, causing ripple effects across the region’s air traffic system.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a joint investigation. Key points under review include:  

- Why the fire truck was cleared to cross the runway while a plane was landing.  

- The role of air traffic control communications, including audio recordings where controllers urgently shouted “Stop, stop, stop, truck 1 stop!” moments before the crash.  

- Safety protocols for emergency vehicle movement on active runways.

In a broader context, LaGuardia is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling millions of passengers annually. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about runway safety and coordination between ground vehicles and aircraft. While rare, runway incursions have historically been among the most dangerous types of aviation accidents.

The deadly collision at LaGuardia has not only claimed two lives but also exposed vulnerabilities in airport safety procedures.

With investigations underway, the focus now shifts to accountability and preventing future tragedies.

For travellers, the closure means significant delays and diversions, while for aviation authorities, it marks a critical test of safety oversight at one of the nation’s most vital air hubs.