The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, Air Canada’s regional partner, had arrived from Montreal and was landing on Runway 4 when the collision occurred. According to preliminary reports, the jet touched down at approximately 11:37 p.m. local time and struck the ground vehicle while traveling at around 24 miles per hour during runway operations.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, though the passenger list is still subject to verification. Several passengers were injured, with emergency responders rushing them to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The firefighting vehicle involved in the collision was operated by Port Authority personnel. A police sergeant and an officer on board the vehicle suffered broken limbs and were reported to be in stable condition.
Images from the scene showed significant damage to the aircraft’s nose, which appeared crumpled and tilted upward following the impact. Emergency crews quickly secured the area and began rescue and recovery operations.
In response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop, temporarily shutting down LaGuardia Airport. At least 18 flights were diverted or forced to return to their origin as authorities managed the emergency and cleared the runway.
LaGuardia, one of the busiest airports in the United States with over 30 million passengers handled in 2025, remained closed for several hours as officials assessed the situation.
An investigation into the cause of the collision is currently underway, with authorities yet to release detailed findings.
