Two pilots died after an Air Canada aircraft collided with a firefighting vehicle on the runway at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday, triggering a large-scale emergency response and shutting down airport operations.
The aircraft had just landed from Montreal when it struck a fire engine that was responding to a separate incident involving another plane that had reported an issue with odour. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft, which was later seen on the tarmac with its nose tilted upward.
Forty-one people were taken to hospital, Port Authority chief Kathryn Garcia said. Thirty-two were later discharged, while others remained under treatment for serious injuries. Authorities said all passengers and crew on board were accounted for. Two officers inside the firefighting vehicle were also hospitalized and were reported in stable condition.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the incident as a “tragic collision” and confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
“I am grateful to our first responders, whose swift actions saved lives.”
Air traffic control audio captured urgent warnings in the seconds before the collision, including repeated calls to stop. Video circulating online showed the aircraft, a CRJ 900 operated by Jazz Aviation, coming to a stop after the impact with visible structural damage.
The airport was closed overnight and reopened at 14:00 local time, but disruptions continued. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed across major carriers, leaving passengers stranded inside terminals as long queues formed and rebooking efforts stretched into the day.
Airport authorities warned travelers to expect continued delays and cancellations and advised checking with airlines before heading to the airport.
