Air Canada plane crash: Pilots killed in firetruck collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport, several injured

An Air Canada Express aircraft crashed with a firetruck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Monday, March 23 (India time). Several people were reported to have been injured, while the pilot and the co-pilot were feared to be dead.

Arriving from Montreal, the CRJ-900 plane with a firetruck at a speed of about 24 miles per hour or 39 kmph, as per Flightradar24.

Following the incident, the US Federal Aviation Administration (US FAA) directed for halt of all the planes at the airport, news agency Reuters reported citing a notice from the aviation regulator.
The notice did not specify details. However, it reportedly showed that the directive was given due to an emergency and there could be a possible extension for the operations to remain halted.

Video from the scene at La Guardia this evening. Eyewitness in the video states the aircraft’s nose lifted after passengers deplaned the CRJ. https://t.co/cg30LJOyfk

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 23, 2026

Several people have been reported to be injured in the accident, while some casualties are also feared. Early accounts on social media suggest nearly 100 people to be injured, while a few people said to be in a critical condition, including those present in the firetruck at the time of the accident. News agency AFP reported citing US media reports that the pilot and the co-pilot of the plane were reported to be dead in the accident.

The accident reportedly happened on the Runway 4 of the LaGuardia airport.

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One of the visuals shared on the social media reportedly show that the aircraft nose-lifted after passengers deplaned it. The aircraft witnessed some destruction to the cockpit area.

The videos and audio clips being shared on social media reportedly captured the panic inside the air traffic control tower. Authorities can be heard directing the plane to land, then telling the pilot that the runway is closed and directing it to go around. However, the calls do not seem to have prevented the incident.

???? BREAKING: LaGuardia Airport reports a collision between an aircraft and a fire truck on Runway 4. Authorities have not yet released details on injuries or the extent of the damage.

pic.twitter.com/BKSHyL1yDU

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 23, 2026

Air Canada in a statement said that the company was “aware of an incident” involving Air Canada Express flight 8646 operated by Jazz Aviation LP (Jazz) from Montreal to New York LaGuardia on Mar. 22, 2026.

Jazz Aviation LP (operating as Air Canada Express), in a separate statement confirmed incident that an incident involving AC8646 operated by a CRJ900 occurred at LaGuardia (LGA).

“Flight 8646 was enroute to LGA from Montréal (YUL). The preliminary passenger list indicates the aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and 4 crew members, although this is subject to confirmation. The incident occurred at approximately 11:47PM on March 22, 2026,” Jazz said in the statement.