The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express flight were killed after the aircraft collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York late Sunday night, forcing a temporary closure of the airport.
The collision occurred at around 11 pm as the CRJ-900 regional jet operated by Jazz Aviation was approaching the runway after departing from Montreal. The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members.
Here’s a front-facing photo of Air Canada Express Flight AC8646, a Bombardier CRJ-900 from Montreal, showing the crash damage at LaGuardia. pic.twitter.com/RcycBnUyQj
— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) March 23, 2026
At least 41 people were initially taken to hospitals in Queens, according to Kathryn Garcia, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. While 32 have since been discharged, nine remain hospitalised, some in a serious condition.
“Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased and notifications are being made by Air Canada’s care team,” Garcia said during an early Monday press conference.
The fire truck had been responding to a separate incident involving a United Airlines flight, which had reported an unusual odour on board when the collision occurred.
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia has confirmed two pilots have died after an Air Canada Express flight (AC8646), operated by Jazz Airlines, collided with a Port Authority fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) March 23, 2026
Nine people face significant… https://t.co/JyshSfWaqi pic.twitter.com/0XxysmZdD9
Audio from air traffic control suggests that the vehicle had initially been given permission to cross the runway. Moments later, a controller can be heard urgently instructing: “Stop, Truck 1, stop,” before frantically trying to divert incoming aircraft from landing.
It was too late. The aircraft hit the middle of the truck, severely damaging the plane’s nose and forcing it upwards on impact. The truck overturned, and the officers seated at the front were thrown from the vehicle. They sustained injuries, including broken limbs, but are reported to be in a stable condition.
ATC audio captures moment Air Canada Express flight AC8646 collided with the truck. pic.twitter.com/WsoAUT4P4j
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) March 23, 2026
As the aircraft’s nose was low at the moment of impact, the pilots absorbed the full force of the collision.
According to two sources cited by NBC News, a flight attendant was found outside the aircraft, still strapped into her jumpseat.
Preliminary information indicates that both the aircraft and the truck had received clearance – the former to land and the latter to cross the runway – a key point which is now under investigation.
🚨 What a tragedy! The pilots of an Air Canada Express flight have died
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 23, 2026
The plane, carrying 76 people on board, collided with a fire truck while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. https://t.co/1qMHxeNECK pic.twitter.com/9ie8xAgbad
Emergency evacuation procedures were swiftly carried out. As the engines were reportedly off when the responders arrived, the crews were able to open the rear exit and escort the passengers to safety.
The incident triggered a full ground stop at LaGuardia Airport, one of the busiest in the United States, which handled over 32 million passengers last year. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the airport would remain closed until at least 2 pm local time.
Due to emergency LaGuardia Airport is closed. Check with your airline for the latest flight information before coming to the airport.
— LaGuardia Airport (@LGAairport) March 23, 2026
In a statement issued from Halifax, Jazz Aviation confirmed that flight AC8646, operated by a CRJ-900 aircraft, collided with a fire truck on the runway at approximately 11:47 pm local time.
“Today is an incredibly difficult day for our airline, our employees, and most importantly, the families and loved ones of those affected by the accident involving flight 8646,” said Doug Clarke, President of Jazz Aviation. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our two pilots and our unwavering support to those who have been injured.”
The airline added that it is “deeply saddened by the loss of two employees” and is working to support both families and staff, while confirming it is cooperating fully with investigators.
Air Canada, in a separate statement issued from Montreal, said it “cannot confirm the exact number of injuries or if there are other fatalities at this time”, but confirmed that emergency services were treating injured passengers and transporting some to local hospitals.
Our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of the Jazz crew of Air Canada Express flight AC8646 on March 22.
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) March 23, 2026
Read full statement: https://t.co/etMYrF6W6o
The airline added that its teams, alongside Jazz Aviation, are preparing to travel to the site and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Both companies are cooperating with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the US National Transportation Safety Board.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the collision, with the FAA sending a team to assist.
“Our thoughts this morning are with those affected by the ground collision at LaGuardia,” said US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy in a statement, adding that the authorities would continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
