A tragic aviation incident unfolded at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night when an Air Canada Express jet collided with a firefighting vehicle during landing, killing both the pilot and co-pilot and injuring several others.
Aircraft Collides with Ground Vehicle
The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, had arrived from Montreal when it struck a Port Authority firefighting vehicle on Runway 4 shortly after touchdown.
Preliminary data suggests the aircraft was travelling at around 24 miles per hour during runway operations when the collision occurred.
Casualties and Injuries
- Pilot and co-pilot killed in the crash
- Dozens of passengers and personnel injured
- Two officers in the fire vehicle sustained fractures but are reported to be in stable condition
The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, according to initial reports.
Airport Shut, Flights Diverted
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a ground stop, temporarily shutting down LaGuardia Airport.
- At least 18 flights were diverted or returned
- Airport operations were suspended for several hours
LaGuardia, one of the busiest airports in the US, handled over 30 million passengers in 2025.
Investigation Underway
Images from the scene showed significant damage to the aircraft’s nose, which appeared tilted upward after the impact. Emergency responders rushed to the site to assist passengers and secure the area.
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine:
- The cause of the collision
- Possible lapses in runway safety protocols
- Communication between ground control and the aircraft
Aviation Safety in Focus
The incident has raised serious concerns about runway safety and coordination between aircraft and ground vehicles, especially at high-traffic airports.
Further details are expected as investigators analyse flight data and communication records.
