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By Toby Meyjes
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Two people were killed after an Air Canada plane collided with a Port Authority vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday night.
Two people in the Port Authority fire truck were injured, according to the AP. Jazz Aviation say, subject to confirmation, there were 76 people on board, including four crew.
The plane was a Jazz Aviation flight operating as Air Canada Express, The airport has been closed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) National Airspace System website
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Why It Matters
The collision halted operations at one of the nation’s busiest airports, disrupting flights and raising urgent safety questions.
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What To Know
The incident occurred on Runway 4 at around 11:40 p.m. ET Sunday, LaGuardia Airport said in a statement on X.
The “aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate incident,” the statement said.
It added that emergency protocols were activated as police and agency leaders arrived on scene.
Jazz Aviation said Flight 8646 was en route from Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) to LaGuardia (LGA) when the collision happened. It was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, although this is subject to confirmation.
The circumstances leading up to the incident are not immediately clear. Pictures and footage posted on social media appear to show the front of the aircraft with severe damage.
According to flight tracking website FlightRadar, the Air Canada Express CRJ-900 had flown to New York from Montreal and had a last reported groundspeed of 21 knots (around 24 mph) before the collision.
The FAA notice about the incident said the airport could be closed until 2 p.m. ET. New York's emergency management authority said in a post on X: "Expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays & emergency personnel near LaGuardia Airport in Queens. Use alternate routes."
What People Are Saying
LaGuardia Airport said in a statement on X: **“**At approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada was involved in an incident on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in which the aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate incident.
“Emergency response protocols were immediately activated. The Port Authority Police Department is on scene along with the agency’s chairman and executive director. The airport is currently closed to facilitate the response and allow for a thorough investigation.”
Jazz Aviation said in a statement: “Jazz Aviation LP, operating as Air Canada Express, confirms that an incident involving AC8646 operated by a CRJ900 has occurred at LaGuardia (LGA).
“Flight 8646 was en route 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 11:47 p.m. on March 22, 2026.”
What Happens Next
Investigators from the Port Authority Police Department, federal authorities, and airline partners will conduct a runway and operations review, including vehicle movement protocols during emergency responses.
The FAA will update its airspace advisories and determine when regular flight operations can safely resume, and airlines will issue rebooking guidance for affected travelers.
LaGuardia Plane Crash Live Updates: Pilot and Co-Pilot Killed, 41 Hospitalized
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