Everything We Know About the Air Canada LaGuardia Airport Collision So Far

BySarah Kennedy
Sunset behind an airport control tower at Laguardia, casting a warm orange glow in the sky. The tower's silhouette adds contrast and a calm ambiance. The airport is shut down due to a collision with an Air Canada flight.

The LaGuardia Airport collision is dominating national attention after an Air Canada Express jet struck a Port Authority fire‑rescue truck while landing late Sunday night, killing both pilots and injuring dozens. The airport — one of the busiest in the country — remains closed, adding to nationwide travel chaos during the partial government shutdown. With federal investigators on scene and new details emerging by the hour, here’s everything we know about the LaGuardia Airport collision so far.

Air Canada Express Flight: Timeline of the Incident

Official Timeline

  • Around 11:40 p.m. ET, March 22 — Air Canada Express Flight 8646, operated by Jazz Aviation, collided with a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle while landing on Runway 4.
  • The fire truck was responding to a separate incident at the airport.
  • Pilot and co‑pilot were killed in the collision.
  • 41 passengers and crew were taken to hospitals, and 32 have since been released, according to the Port Authority.
  • LaGuardia Airport remains closed until at least 2 p.m. ET Monday.
  • The NTSB launched an investigative team early Monday morning.

Historical Context

Runway collisions of this severity are rare in U.S. aviation. The NTSB has prioritized the investigation due to the fatalities, the involvement of an emergency vehicle and the high‑speed nature of the impact — approximately 104 mph, according to preliminary flight‑tracking data.

What Happened — Crash Details

Confirmed Facts

  • Aircraft: Jazz Aviation Mitsubishi CRJ‑900, operating as Air Canada Express Flight 8646.
  • Origin: Montréal, with a connection from Calgary for some passengers.
  • Impact speed: ~104 mph at collision.
  • Casualties:
    • Pilot and the first officer killed
    • 41 passengers and crew taken to the hospital
  • The cockpit was heavily damaged, leaving passengers to self‑evacuate. One passenger described the moment as “just chaos… everybody was screaming pretty quickly.”

Damage

  • The aircraft’s nose was crushed, with debris hanging from the fuselage.
  • The fire‑rescue truck was found on its side off Runway 4.

Passengers, Crew and Emergency Response

Injuries

  • 41 total transported to hospitals
  • 32 released as of Monday morning
  • Two Port Authority fire officers were injured

Emergency Response

  • FDNY, Port Authority Police, and airport emergency teams responded within minutes.
  • New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul have been briefed and are monitoring the situation.
  • Air Canada has set up a hotline for families: 1‑800‑961‑7099.

Inside the Moments Before Impact: Audio and On‑Scene Images

Air traffic control communications are under review as investigators work to determine how a Port Authority fire‑rescue truck ended up on the runway as the Air Canada jet landed. On the ground, images from the scene show the aircraft with significant nose damage and the fire truck overturned off Runway 4, as emergency crews worked to evacuate passengers and secure the area.

Latest News & Updates

Most Recent Update (March 23, 2026 — 9:37 a.m. ET)

  • LaGuardia remains closed until at least 2 p.m. ET.
  • The FAA and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada have deployed teams to assist the NTSB.
  • ICE agents are present at multiple airports nationwide due to TSA staffing shortages, contributing to broader travel delays.

Timeline of Announcements

  • 3 a.m. — NTSB confirms investigative team en route.
  • Morning — FAA deploys additional support staff.
  • Ongoing — Federal, state and local officials issue updates on injuries and airport operations.

What We Still Don’t Know

  • The exact cause of the runway incursion.
  • Whether the fire truck was properly cleared to cross the runway.
  • How many air traffic controllers were on duty at the time.
  • Whether staffing shortages or fatigue played a role.
  • When LaGuardia will fully resume normal operations.

FAQ

Q: What happened at LaGuardia Airport?

An Air Canada Express jet collided with a Port Authority fire‑rescue truck while landing, killing two pilots and injuring dozens.

Q: How many people were injured?

Two people were killed — the pilot and first officer — and 41 passengers and crew were taken to hospitals; 32 have since been released.

Q: Why was the fire truck on the runway?

It was responding to a separate emergency involving another aircraft.

Q: Is LaGuardia Airport open?

No. It is closed until at least 2 p.m. ET.

Q: Who is investigating the crash?

The NTSB, with support from the FAA and Transportation Safety Board of Canada.