The tragic collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada Express flight has claimed two lives and left several others injured, disrupting operations at one of the city's busiest hubs.

Air Canada Express Flight Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia, 2 Dead

An incoming Air Canada Express regional jet struck a Port Authority fire truck on the runway late Sunday night, killing the pilot and co-pilot while injuring ground personnel, according to multiple reports from US authorities and media sources.

Fatal Runway Collision

The incident unfolded around 11:38 pm local time (about 10:08 am IST on March 23) when the Bombardier CRJ-900, operating as Flight AC8646 from Montreal, collided with the emergency vehicle on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Queens, New York.

The aircraft sustained severe damage, with its nose ripped off and the forward fuselage badly mangled, as shown in unverified social media footage and photographs from the scene.

Casualties and Injuries

The two fatalities were the pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit, sources close to the investigation told US media outlets including the New York Post. Reports also indicated serious injuries to personnel on the fire truck, with some accounts mentioning four firefighters or Port Authority officers critically hurt, including broken limbs and other trauma.

The flight carried 72 passengers and four crew members, Jazz Aviation confirmed in an early statement. All passengers were safely evacuated, though some may have required medical checks. No passenger fatalities have been reported so far.

Sequence of Events

Air traffic control audio circulating online captured urgent commands to "stop, stop, stop" as the collision became imminent. The fire truck was reportedly crossing the runway or responding to a separate incident when the jet, which had just landed and was rolling out, struck it at an estimated speed of around 39 kmph.

Low visibility and wet conditions may have played a role, though officials are yet to confirm contributing factors.

Official Response and Investigation

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) immediately issued a ground stop for all arrivals and departures at LaGuardia, citing an aircraft emergency. The measure, initially set to last several hours, carried a high probability of extension, leading to widespread diversions and cancellations.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, activated emergency protocols. Jazz Aviation, the regional partner operating the flight for Air Canada, acknowledged the incident and said it was cooperating fully.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a formal investigation, dispatching a go-team to the site to examine the circumstances, including air traffic communications, vehicle movements, and weather data.

Impact on Airport Operations

LaGuardia, a key domestic gateway for New York City, handles heavy traffic volumes daily. The closure triggered significant disruptions, with arriving flights diverted to nearby airports like Newark or JFK, or returned to origin. Passengers faced long delays amid already strained US air travel conditions.

Aviation experts point out that such ground collisions, though uncommon, can ripple across the national network, exacerbating congestion.

What Lies Ahead

Authorities continue to assess the runway and surrounding areas for safety before resuming operations. The NTSB investigation is expected to take months, focusing on communication breakdowns, ground vehicle protocols, and possible human or systemic errors.

Air Canada and Jazz Aviation have yet to release detailed statements on support for affected passengers and families. Further updates will follow as more information emerges from the ongoing probe.

This incident underscores the risks at busy urban airports where aircraft and emergency vehicles operate in close proximity.