Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia: Pilot and Co-Pilot killed after Jet collides with Fire Truck in shocking New York Airport disaster

A devastating Air Canada plane crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has left the aviation industry reeling after an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a fire truck while landing, killing the pilot and co-pilot and injuring dozens more, according to multiple reports.

The late-night collision, which occurred on Sunday, March 22, 2026, forced the temporary shutdown of one of New York’s busiest airports and triggered a major emergency response. Early details suggest the aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, struck a firefighting vehicle that was reportedly responding to a separate incident on the runway.

With authorities still investigating the cause, the LaGuardia airport plane collision is already being described as one of the most shocking aviation incidents in recent memory.

What Happened in the Air Canada Plane Crash at LaGuardia?

According to reporting from The Guardian, citing Reuters and NBC News, the Air Canada Express CRJ-900 was attempting to land at LaGuardia Airport in New York when it collided with a fire truck on runway 4 late Sunday night.

The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members on a flight from Montreal. The plane was being operated by Jazz Aviation, a regional carrier partner of Air Canada.

Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 reportedly showed the aircraft was moving at approximately 24mph at the time of the impact. Images taken after the crash showed visible damage to the nose of the aircraft, which appeared tilted upward following the collision.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the fire vehicle was responding to a separate incident when it was struck by the landing plane.

Pilot and Co-Pilot Reportedly Killed in Fatal Runway Collision

The most tragic element of the Air Canada crash news is the reported loss of both cockpit crew members.

NBC News, as referenced in the report, said the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. Authorities had not immediately released official names or issued a comprehensive fatality statement at the time of initial reporting, but the deaths were widely cited in early coverage.

In addition to the fatalities, dozens of passengers and personnel were reported injured. Earlier reports also indicated that two police officers connected to the fire truck operation suffered broken limbs and were said to be in stable condition in hospital.

Because emergency agencies had not yet released a full casualty breakdown at the time of publication, official injury and fatality counts may still change as investigations continue.

LaGuardia Airport Closed After Air Canada Jet Crash

Following the Air Canada Express collision, LaGuardia Airport was shut down, disrupting air traffic across the New York area.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the airport was expected to remain closed until 2 p.m. on Monday, while emergency crews secured the scene and investigators began their initial work.

According to Flightradar24, at least 18 flights were diverted to nearby airports or returned to their points of origin after the runway accident.

New York City’s emergency notification system also warned travellers and local residents to expect flight cancellations, road closures, traffic delays, and a heavy emergency presence around the airport.

The closure caused immediate ripple effects for travellers in one of the busiest aviation corridors in the United States.

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Aircraft and Airline Details: What We Know So Far

The aircraft involved in the LaGuardia runway crash was identified as an Air Canada Express CRJ-900, a regional jet frequently used for short-haul routes between Canadian and U.S. cities.

Although many passengers know the service under the Air Canada Express brand, the flight was operated by Jazz Aviation, which is owned by Chorus Aviation.

Air Canada acknowledged awareness of the incident but reportedly referred inquiries to Jazz Aviation’s official statement.

This distinction matters because while the flight carried the Air Canada branding, operational responsibility lies with the regional partner. However, public interest remains focused on the airline’s brand because the incident is being widely searched as an Air Canada plane crash.

FAA and NTSB Investigation Underway

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to lead the investigation into what caused the deadly runway collision.

At this stage, several urgent questions remain unanswered:

• Why was the fire truck on the runway during the landing sequence?
• Were air traffic control procedures followed?
• Did weather, visibility, or communication errors play a role?
• Was the fire vehicle properly cleared from the runway?
• Could the collision have been prevented?

Because the crash involved an aircraft and an airport emergency vehicle, investigators will likely examine runway coordination, air traffic control communications, emergency response protocols, and cockpit decision-making.

Until official preliminary findings are released, much of the public narrative remains based on early reporting and eyewitness evidence.

Why This Air Canada Crash Is Drawing Global Attention

The Air Canada plane crash in New York is attracting intense international attention for several reasons.

First, it involves a major international airline brand and occurred at a high-profile airport in one of the world’s most watched cities. Second, the idea of a landing aircraft colliding with a fire truck on the runway is highly unusual and raises serious questions about airport safety procedures.

Third, the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot, combined with injuries to passengers and emergency personnel, make this not just a travel disruption story but a major aviation safety crisis.

For travellers, aviation analysts, and airline passengers worldwide, the incident is a stark reminder that even after touchdown, the runway remains one of the most critical and dangerous phases of flight operations.

What Happens Next

In the coming hours and days, officials are expected to release:

• Verified passenger and crew details
• Confirmed fatality and injury counts
• Preliminary FAA and NTSB statements
• Runway communication records
• Updates on LaGuardia’s operational recovery

If confirmed, the Air Canada LaGuardia crash could trigger renewed scrutiny of airport ground vehicle coordination, runway incursion prevention systems, and emergency response management at major international airports.

For now, the focus remains on the victims, the injured, and the urgent search for answers.

 

 

 

FAQ: Air Canada Plane Crash at LaGuardia

1. Did an Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia Airport?

Yes. An Air Canada Express CRJ-900 regional jet collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York late on March 22, 2026. The incident is widely being referred to as the Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia.

2. How many people were on the Air Canada plane that crashed?

Early reports said the aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, for a total of 76 people onboard. This figure was based on a preliminary passenger list and may still be subject to official confirmation.

3. Who died in the Air Canada plane crash?

According to early media reports, the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. Authorities had not yet released official names at the time of the initial reports.

4. Were passengers injured in the Air Canada LaGuardia crash?

Yes. Reports indicated that dozens of people were injured, though officials had not immediately published a final confirmed number. Some injuries were also reported among those associated with the fire truck involved in the collision.

5. What caused the Air Canada plane to crash?

The exact cause is still under investigation. What is known is that the plane collided with a fire truck on runway 4 while landing. Investigators are expected to examine runway access, air traffic control coordination, emergency vehicle clearance, and communication records.

6. Was the Air Canada flight operated directly by Air Canada?

The flight was branded as Air Canada Express, but it was operated by Jazz Aviation, a regional airline partner owned by Chorus Aviation.

7. What type of aircraft was involved in the crash?

The aircraft involved was a CRJ-900 regional jet, a commonly used aircraft for short and medium-haul routes in North America.

8. Where was the Air Canada flight coming from?

The plane was reportedly flying from Montreal, Canada, to LaGuardia Airport in New York City.

9. Why was there a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia?

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the firefighting vehicle was responding to a separate incident at the airport when it was struck by the landing aircraft. Investigators will likely focus heavily on this issue.

10. Is LaGuardia Airport closed after the Air Canada crash?

LaGuardia was temporarily closed after the incident. The FAA said the airport was expected to remain shut until 2 p.m. Monday, though reopening timelines may shift depending on the investigation and runway clearance.

11. How many flights were affected by the LaGuardia crash?

At least 18 flights were reportedly diverted or returned to their departure airports, according to Flightradar24.

12. Is the FAA investigating the Air Canada crash?

Yes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is involved, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also expected to lead or support the formal investigation.

13. Why is the Air Canada crash getting so much attention?

The incident is drawing global attention because it involves:

• A major airline brand
• A deadly runway collision
• A crash at a major New York airport
• Reported pilot and co-pilot fatalities
• Serious questions about airport safety and emergency vehicle coordination

14. Could this Air Canada crash have been prevented?

It is too early to say definitively. However, investigators will be examining whether runway management, communication, and airport ground safety systems failed in a way that allowed a landing aircraft and a fire truck to occupy the same runway at the same time.

15. What should travellers do if they were flying through LaGuardia?

Travellers should:

• Check directly with their airline for updated flight status
• Monitor LaGuardia Airport advisories
• Expect delays, cancellations, and diversions
• Allow extra travel time due to emergency road closures near the airport