FAA Issues Ground Stop at LaGuardia After Plane Collision

The stop was issued after an Air Canada plane hit a Port Authority vehicle, the NYPD said.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 5:41am

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The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop at New York City's LaGuardia Airport after an Air Canada plane collided with a Port Authority vehicle on the tarmac. The incident occurred around 11:44 PM on Monday night, according to the NYPD.

Why it matters

Ground stops are rare and indicate a serious incident that requires the FAA to halt all flights in and out of an airport for safety reasons. This collision raises concerns about airport ground operations and vehicle-aircraft interactions that could endanger passengers and staff.

The details

The NYPD reported that officers were called to LaGuardia Airport on Monday night after receiving reports of an unusual incident. Upon arrival, officers were informed that an Air Canada plane had been involved in a collision with a Port Authority vehicle on the airport tarmac.

  • The incident occurred around 11:44 PM on Monday, March 23, 2026.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

Air Canada

A major Canadian airline and flag carrier of Canada.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The agency that operates several airports in the New York metropolitan area, including LaGuardia Airport.

New York Police Department

The law enforcement agency for New York City.

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What’s next

The FAA and Port Authority will investigate the cause of the collision and review airport ground operations procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This rare ground stop at a major U.S. airport highlights the importance of strict safety protocols and coordination between airlines, airport authorities, and regulators to ensure the safe movement of aircraft and vehicles on the tarmac.