New York: The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed late Sunday after the aircraft collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport, authorities and US media reported. The incident led to the temporary closure of the airport.
Details of the Incident
NBC News reported that dozens of other individuals were injured. The fire truck was manned by police officers, including a sergeant and an officer who suffered broken limbs but are in stable condition at a local hospital.
The aircraft involved, a CRJ-900 operated by Air Canada Express in partnership with Jazz Aviation, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members from Montreal. The preliminary passenger list remains subject to confirmation. Jazz Aviation is owned by Chorus Aviation.
Collision Information
According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, the plane struck the fire truck at approximately 24 miles per hour (39 km/h). Photos released by Reuters showed visible damage to the nose of the aircraft, which was slightly tilted upward after the collision.
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Authorities and emergency agencies have not immediately commented on the fatalities or injuries. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that LaGuardia Airport was expected to remain closed until 2 p.m. ET on Monday. Flightradar24 reported that 18 flights were diverted to other airports, mostly within the New York area, or returned to their departure locations.
Emergency Response and Traffic Disruptions
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stated that the fire truck was responding to a separate incident when it was struck on Runway 4. New York City’s emergency notification system warned the public of flight cancellations, road closures, traffic delays, and the presence of emergency personnel around the airport.
LaGuardia Airport served over 30 million passengers in 2025, and a wide range of US airlines operate from the airport, making the disruption significant for the region.
