Investigation Underway Following LaGuardia Airport Collision

Tue Mar 24 2026 18:10:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck during landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Investigators are examining cockpit recordings and control tower communications.

An Air Canada flight collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport, leading to the deaths of two pilots and injuring several passengers. The NTSB is investigating the incident, focusing on the role of air traffic control and the reasons for the fire truck's presence on the runway. Flights have since resumed, although the runway remains closed as investigators sift through debris.

NEW YORK (AP) — Investigators are conducting inquiries into a tragic collision that occurred between an Air Canada jet and a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport. The crash happened just as the plane, which was carrying over 70 passengers, was landing late Sunday night. Sadly, the collision resulted in the fatalities of both pilots and injuries to several passengers. Fortunately, many were able to escape the wreckage and a flight attendant survived after being ejected onto the tarmac.

As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) embarks on its investigation, they are examining both the cockpit voice recorder and the actions of the control tower just prior to the accident. This includes crucial questions about the fire truck's presence on an active runway during the landing and the reasons it did not heed last-minute warnings from air traffic control.

Authorities are especially concerned about potential distractions faced by the air traffic controllers at the time of the accident, as they were managing another late-night emergency alongside the flight in question.

The incident comes amid escalating frustrations surrounding air travel in the U.S., characterized by long security lines attributed to a government shutdown, winter storms, and rising travel costs.

Despite the chaos, operations at LaGuardia resumed the following day. However, the runway where the collision occurred remains closed, and many flights are experiencing substantial delays as investigations continue.

NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy indicated that they need to carefully sift through a significant amount of debris left behind and that there would be a lengthy investigation process to ensure a thorough understanding of the circumstances leading up to the crash. They have already recovered the plane's vital cockpit and flight data recorders, essential for piecing together the events of that night.

The flight was run by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada and had taken off from Montreal. Although the incident resulted in serious injuries for about 40 people, most were treated and discharged from hospitals by Monday morning.