LaGuardia Airport is closed as investigators probe runway crash.
Two pilots were killed after an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a fire truck while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late on March 22, closing the airport, authorities have confirmed.
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said on March 23 that the aircraft, Air Canada Flight 8646 operated by regional partner Jazz Aviation, collided with the Port Authority fire vehicle on Runway 4 during landing at about 11.40 p.m. local time.
The plane carried 72 passengers and four crew members. Garcia said the aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) truck involved carried two officers, and emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately, in accordance with established protocols. She said 41 passengers and crew were taken to hospitals along with the ARFF officers, with most later released.
“At this time, we understand that 32 have been released, but there are also serious injuries,” Garcia told reporters. “Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased and notifications are being made by Air Canada’s care team at this time.”
She said families were directed to the Air Canada ticket counter for reunification and that an unaccompanied minor on board had been reunited with family members.
Air Canada said in a March 23 post on X that it has set up a phone line for friends and family of passengers on Flight 8646 to call for assistance.
Garcia said she expected the airport to remain closed at least until 2 p.m. local time to facilitate the NTSB investigation.
Flightradar24 data showed that, in the early hours of March 23, 18 flights were diverted from LaGuardia Airport following the collision, with most redirected to the region’s other major airports, John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Liberty (EWR).
Garcia added that the fire vehicle had been responding to another aircraft, a United Airlines plane that had reported an odor issue, when the collision occurred.
She said investigators would determine details, including the aircraft’s speed and operational conditions at the time.
