LaGuardia Airport plane crash
The LaGuardia Airport plane crash refers to a fatal March 2026 collision in New York City between an Air Canada Express regional jet and a fire truck on the airport’s tarmac.
On a Sunday evening in March 2026, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 regional jet collided with a fire truck on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to dozens of passengers, crew, and emergency responders. The crash prompted the temporary closure of the airport and launched investigations by U.S. and Canadian authorities. It was the first fatal crash at LaGuardia in decades.
Incident
On a Sunday evening in March 2026, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 struck a fire truck on the airport surface at LaGuardia Airport while landing. The collision killed the two pilots and injured passengers, crew, and emergency workers.
Aircraft and operator
The aircraft was identified as a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation for Air Canada Express. It had departed from Montreal and carried 72 passengers and four crew members.
Casualties and response
Two pilots died, while dozens of others were injured and transported to hospitals. LaGuardia Airport was closed after the incident and resumed operations later the following day.
Investigation
Authorities from the United States and Canada began investigating the collision. Early reporting described the event as a runway or tarmac collision involving a firefighting vehicle, with the exact cause still under review.
Key facts
- The crash involved an Air Canada Express regional jet and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.
- Both pilots were killed in the collision.
- At least 41 people were transported to medical facilities.
- The aircraft was a CRJ-900 carrying 72 passengers and four crew members.
- Investigations were opened by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Canadian authorities.
The aircraft was operating as Air Canada Express on a route from Montreal, so the incident was directly relevant to Canadian aviation and Canadian readers.[1][5][12]
Frequently asked questions
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References
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gvpmz18e0oSupports: Aircraft type, operator, date/time, injuries, and that two aviators died.
- ABC News — https://abcnews.com/US/laguardia-airport-closed-collision-air-canada-plane-airport/story?id=131315551Supports: Two fatalities, operator, vehicle collision, airport closure, and first fatal crash in decades.
- Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/air-canada-express-plane-hits-ground-vehicle-new-yorks-la-guardia-airport-2026-03-23/Supports: CRJ-900 type, Jazz Aviation operation, Montreal origin, 72 passengers, four crew, injuries, and closure.
- CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/24/us/laguardia-airplane-rescue-truck-collisionSupports: Closure duration, investigations by U.S. and Canadian transportation safety boards, and surface technology context.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz67jq0enwpoSupports: Named pilots, timing, injuries, and airport closure.
- NBC New York — https://www.nbcnewyork.com/queens/live-updates-pilot-co-pilot-killed-plane-truck-laguardia-runway/6479896/Supports: Collision with firetruck, timing, fatalities, injuries, and passenger count.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c620w12y59ntSupports: Occurrence details, injuries, and mention of truck occupants.
- The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03/24/nyregion/laguardia-plane-crashSupports: Aircraft identification, passenger count, departure from Montreal, and investigation focus.