2 Dead, 70 Injured after Plane Crashes into Fire Truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport

Tragic Collision at LaGuardia Airport Leaves at Least Two Dead, Multiple Injuries as Plane Strikes Fire Truck

New York City, March 23, 2026 — A devastating ground collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) has claimed at least two lives and injured dozens, prompting a full airport shutdown and a mass-casualty response late Sunday evening.

The incident involved an Air Canada Express regional jet, operating as Flight AC8646 (or Jazz Airlines Flight 646) from Montreal, which collided with a Port Authority fire truck on or near Runway 4/22 while taxiing after landing. Eyewitness reports and emergency scanner traffic describe the crash as occurring during an attempt to cross the runway or on an adjacent taxiway, with the aircraft sustaining severe damage to its nose and forward fuselage.

Initial casualty figures, compiled from first-responder assessments and citizen reporting apps, indicate at least 70 people injured:

• 1 person in serious/critical condition

• 2 with moderate injuries

• 67 with minor injuries

Unconfirmed reports circulating on social media and early news dispatches suggest two fatalities have occurred, though official confirmation from authorities remains pending as of early Monday morning. Several firefighters from the responding crash truck are among the critically injured, with some sources reporting up to four in serious condition.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a ground stop for all arrivals and departures at LaGuardia, effectively closing the busy airport. Emergency crews, including FDNY and Port Authority units, declared a mass-casualty incident shortly after the collision, with passengers evacuated from the aircraft and transported to safety. The plane carried approximately 60 passengers, many reportedly part of a group traveling from the New York area.

Photos circulating online show significant structural damage to the Bombardier CRJ-900's cockpit area, consistent with a high-impact ground strike at an estimated speed of around 24 mph according to flight-tracking data.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to lead the investigation into the cause, which remains unclear at this early stage. Factors under review may include communication breakdowns, runway incursion protocols, or visibility issues during the nighttime arrival.

LaGuardia Airport remains closed, with significant disruptions expected for travelers across the New York region. Authorities urge passengers to check with airlines for rebooking information and avoid the airport vicinity.

According to unnamed sources via the NY Post, a female flight attendant was ejected through the front of the jet while still in her seat during the crash. She survived and was rushed to the hospital.

The fire truck was cleared to cross the airport's Runway 4 before air traffic controllers frantically urged a Frontier plane bound for Miami and the vehicle to stop. 'Truck One, stop, stop, stop!' an air traffic controller is heard saying, before addressing the plane seconds later: 'JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle. Just hold position. I know you can't move. Vehicles are responding to you now.'

This is a developing story.

17GEN4.com