A collision between an Air Canada Express aircraft and a ground vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has left the pilot and co-pilot dead, while triggering a full shutdown of airport operations and an emergency response on the runway.
The incident occurred when a CRJ-900 aircraft, operating as an Air Canada Express flight from Montreal, struck a ground vehicle during landing on Runway 4. Initial reports indicate that the aircraft collided with a fire truck, prompting immediate deployment of emergency services.
Authorities confirmed that operations at LaGuardia Airport were suspended following the crash, with a complete ground stop imposed on all incoming and outgoing flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the shutdown was necessary to facilitate rescue operations and initiate an investigation into the cause of the collision.
Emergency response teams, including Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) units, were deployed at the site shortly after the incident. Visual evidence and preliminary reconstructions circulating online suggest that both the flight crew and the ground vehicle had been instructed to halt by air traffic control moments before the collision. However, the sequence of events leading to the impact remains under investigation.
Unconfirmed reports citing the New York Fire Department indicate that at least five firefighters sustained serious injuries in the crash. In addition, more than 100 passengers on board the aircraft are reported to have suffered injuries of varying degrees. Officials have not yet issued a detailed statement confirming the extent of casualties or damage.
The aircraft involved was identified as a CRJ-900 operated under the Air Canada Express network, arriving from Montreal at the time of the incident. Flight-tracking data and early accounts point to the collision occurring during the landing phase, a critical moment requiring precise coordination between air and ground operations.
The FAA, in its advisory, confirmed that the airport would remain closed for an extended period due to the emergency. A separate notice to pilots indicated that the shutdown could continue until at least 18:00 GMT, though authorities have not provided a definitive timeline for resumption of services.
The closure has disrupted flight schedules across the region, with LaGuardia being one of New York’s key domestic and short-haul international hubs. Passengers have been advised to check with airlines for updates as operations remain suspended.
Investigators are expected to examine air traffic control communications, ground movement protocols and operational procedures to determine how the aircraft and the emergency vehicle came into contact on an active runway. The reported instructions to halt issued to both parties are likely to form a key part of the inquiry.
Officials have yet to release further details on the condition of those injured or the structural damage to the aircraft and the ground vehicle. The situation remains fluid as emergency teams continue operations at the site.
