Air Canada Express Jet Collides With Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport, Killing Two Pilots and Injuring Dozens

Kuala Lumpur — A tragic runway collision involving an Air Canada Express Flight 8646 and a fire truck occurred late Sunday night at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in the deaths of the plane’s pilot and co‑pilot and injuring dozens of passengers, crew and emergency responders. 

What Happened

The Bombardier CRJ‑900 aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada Express, was arriving from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport when it collided with a Port Authority fire truck on Runway 4 during landing at around 11:40 p.m. local time. 

The fire truck was reportedly responding to a separate emergency involving another aircraft when it crossed the runway just as the Air Canada jet was landing. 

Casualties and Injuries

• 2 fatalities: the pilot and co‑pilot were killed in the collision.  
• 41 people hospitalized: including passengers, crew members and the two firefighters from the vehicle.  
• 32 people discharged: most injured have since been released, though some remain hospitalized with serious injuries.  

Among the survivors was a flight attendant who miraculously survived after being thrown from the aircraft while still strapped to her seat, an outcome many officials described as extraordinary given the force of the impact. 

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Airport Disruption

The crash caused the temporary shutdown of LaGuardia Airport, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations and significant travel delays. One runway reopened Monday afternoon, but the main runway remained closed as investigations continued. 

Investigation Underway

Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada have arrived on the scene to determine the sequence of events that led to the fatal collision. Authorities are examining factors including air traffic clearance, runway safety protocols and communication between ground controllers and emergency vehicles.