Air Canada Flight Collides with Vehicle at LaGuardia, Airport Closed
An Air Canada Express flight 8646 from Montréal collided with a Port Authority vehicle while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday, resulting in the deaths of the flight’s two pilots and prompting the temporary closure of the airport. The incident occurred at approximately 11:47 PM local time, according to a statement released by Jazz Aviation, the regional carrier operating the flight on behalf of Air Canada.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900 with registration C-GNJZ, struck the fire truck – an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) engine – on Runway 4, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Initial reports indicate the plane was traveling at around 24 mph at the moment of impact, as reported by flight tracking website Flightradar24.
Jazz Aviation confirmed the preliminary passenger list indicates 72 passengers and four crew members were aboard, though this remains subject to final confirmation. Authorities reported at least 13 injuries in addition to the two fatalities. The extent of the injuries sustained by passengers and firefighters involved in the incident remains unclear.
The FAA issued a ground stop for all departures from LaGuardia following the collision, initially extending the closure until 5:30 GMT. A subsequent notice to airmen indicated a potential extension of the shutdown until 18:00 GMT, though the airport has since partially reopened. Arriving flights were diverted to other New York-area airports or returned to their origin points during the closure.
Images circulating on social media depict significant damage to the front of the CRJ-900, with the aircraft tilted upwards and its nose heavily impacted. Reuters has not independently verified the authenticity of these images.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a “Go Team” to LaGuardia to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The investigation will focus on determining the sequence of events leading to the collision and identifying any contributing factors.
New York City’s emergency management authority warned residents to anticipate cancellations, road closures, traffic delays, and the presence of emergency personnel near LaGuardia Airport. The authority advised commuters to utilize alternate routes.
Air Canada has not yet released a detailed statement beyond the initial confirmation from Jazz Aviation. The FAA has not provided further details regarding the circumstances of the collision, citing the ongoing investigation.