A serious on-the-ground collision involving a regional Air Canada jet and a Port Authority airport vehicle occurred late Sunday night at LaGuardia Airport in New York, leaving two pilots dead, dozens injured, and forcing a temporary shutdown of the airport, according to aviation and law enforcement officials. The aircraft, operating as Air Canada Flight 8646 and managed by Jazz Aviation, had just completed its flight from Montreal and was in the process of landing when the crash took place at approximately 11:47 p.m. The jet, carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that had been responding to a separate situation on the airfield.
The impact caused catastrophic damage to the front section of the plane and triggered a large-scale emergency response. Authorities reported that at least 41 individuals were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Of those, 39 were passengers and two were Port Authority police officers assigned to firefighting duties. While 32 of the injured were later released after receiving medical care, several others remained hospitalized with serious injuries. Officials stated that the two injured officers—a sergeant and another officer—were in stable condition.
Tragically, the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft did not survive the collision. Officials said that their identities would not be publicly released until their families had been properly notified. The loss of both pilots has intensified the gravity of the incident and raised urgent questions about safety procedures during ground operations.
Despite the severity of the crash, all passengers aboard the aircraft were accounted for. Among them was an unaccompanied minor, who was successfully reunited with family members after the incident. Authorities emphasized that the swift coordination of emergency responders helped prevent an even greater tragedy.
Preliminary findings suggest that the aircraft had landed on Runway 4 and was decelerating along the runway when the collision occurred. According to early reports and air traffic control audio recordings, the rescue vehicle had requested and received clearance to cross Runway 4 at Taxiway Delta. However, shortly after granting that clearance, air traffic controllers were heard urgently instructing the vehicle to stop multiple times in the moments leading up to the crash. The exact sequence of events and why the vehicle remained in the aircraft’s path are now key points of investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in investigating the incident and has dispatched a specialized team to the crash site. The agency’s chair, along with additional investigators, arrived at the airport early Monday morning to begin a comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the collision. Officials have stated that the investigation will focus on air traffic control communications, vehicle movement procedures, and potential human or mechanical factors.
In response to the crash, LaGuardia Airport was closed early Monday to allow investigators full access to the scene and to ensure safety during the ongoing response. Authorities announced that the airport would remain shut down until at least 2 p.m., though delays could extend depending on the progress of the investigation. The closure caused widespread travel disruptions, with at least 18 incoming flights diverted to other regional airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Emergency services responded rapidly following the collision. Firefighters, medical personnel, and law enforcement officers worked through the night to assist passengers, secure the aircraft, and manage the scene. While the immediate firefighting response has concluded, a continued presence of emergency units remains in place to support investigative efforts and maintain safety conditions at the airport.
Officials from the Port Authority and New York City Emergency Management stressed that the situation is still evolving and that a thorough investigation is essential to understanding how such a collision could occur despite established safety protocols. Aviation experts note that runway incursions involving ground vehicles are rare but potentially deadly, particularly when communication breakdowns or timing errors occur.
As investigators work to determine the exact cause, the focus remains on supporting the victims, restoring airport operations, and ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent similar incidents in the future.
