Air Canada Express jet hits fire truck at LaGuardia, killing pilots

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An Air Canada Express regional jet struck a fire truck on the runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Sunday, killing the pilot and co-pilot. Dozens of others were injured, including two police officers, and the airport was closed for several hours as a result of the incident.

Why it matters

The crash raises questions about runway safety protocols and emergency response procedures at major airports, as well as the potential risks of regional air travel. LaGuardia is one of the busiest airports in the U.S., handling over 30 million passengers annually, so any disruption can have widespread impacts.

The details

According to authorities and reports, the Air Canada Express jet was moving at around 24 miles per hour when it collided with the fire truck on the runway. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and 4 crew members at the time. Photos showed visible damage to the nose of the aircraft. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said the airport was expected to remain closed until around 2 p.m. local time as a result of the incident.

• The incident occurred on Sunday, March 23, 2026.
• The airport was expected to reopen around 2 p.m. local time on the same day.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash and make recommendations to improve runway safety at major airports.