Breaking News: Air Canada Plane Collides with Fire Truck at LaGuardia, 2 Dead, Dozens Injured
(CNN) — Two pilots were killed and dozens of passengers injured after an Air Canada flight collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, officials confirmed.
The aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle at approximately 11:40 p.m., triggering a large-scale emergency response and forcing the temporary closure of the airport.
Casualties and Injuries
Authorities said the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the collision.
A total of 41 passengers and crew members were transported to hospitals, with 32 later released, according to Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia.
Two firefighters inside the truck were also hospitalized and are reported to be in stable condition.
Flight Details
The flight, identified as Air Canada Flight 8646, departed from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport shortly after 10:30 p.m. and arrived in New York about an hour later.
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft was traveling at approximately 130 mph just before impact.
The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time.
What Happened
Preliminary reports indicate the fire truck had been dispatched to assist another aircraft that reported an unknown odor in the cockpit.
Air traffic control audio suggests the emergency vehicle was cleared to cross the runway as the Air Canada plane was landing. Moments later, controllers urgently ordered the truck to stop — but it was too late.
“Truck One, stop, stop, stop!” an air traffic controller is heard saying, seconds before confirming the collision.
Airport Shutdown and Disruptions
Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop at LaGuardia due to an “aircraft emergency.”
The airport remained closed for several hours and was expected to reopen by 2 p.m. Monday, as investigators examined the scene.
More than 500 flights were canceled, according to FlightAware, adding to widespread travel disruptions.
Wider Travel Impact
The incident comes amid ongoing strain across U.S. airports linked to staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration, as many officers have called off work during a funding lapse affecting the Department of Homeland Security.
Investigation Underway
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived at the scene early Monday to determine the cause of the collision.
Images from the runway show severe damage to the aircraft’s nose, with emergency crews surrounding the wreckage.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge.
