Deadly Collision at LaGuardia Airport as Plane Strikes Fire Truck

ATC audio reveals frantic final moments before tragic crash that killed both pilots

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:28am

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A tragic collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Sunday, March 22nd, resulted in the deaths of both pilots of Air Canada flight AC8646 and injuries to dozens more. The Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, struck a Port Authority fire truck on the runway while landing. Newly released audio from the LaGuardia air traffic control tower reveals the controller repeatedly shouting 'Truck one, stop, stop, stop!' seconds before the crash.

Why it matters

This incident raises serious questions about air traffic control coordination and runway safety protocols at one of the busiest airports in the United States. The loss of two young pilots at the start of their careers is a tragic outcome that will likely prompt a thorough investigation and review of procedures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The details

The fire truck had been dispatched minutes earlier to respond to a separate incident involving a United Airlines flight reporting an unusual odor onboard. Eyewitnesses described a loud 'boom' and the plane appearing to be severely damaged upon impact. The collision resulted in 41 injuries, with some passengers requiring hospitalization for serious injuries. A flight attendant was found alive, trapped in her seat after falling through a hole in the aircraft floor.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
  • The airport reopened on Monday afternoon after a full investigation of the crash site.

The players

Air Canada Express CRJ-900

The aircraft operated by Jazz Aviation that was involved in the collision.

Port Authority Fire Truck

The fire truck that collided with the Air Canada plane on the runway.

Antoine Forest

One of the pilots of the Air Canada flight, a 30-year-old from Québec.

MacKenzie Gunther

The other pilot of the Air Canada flight.

Kathryn Garcia

The Port Authority Executive Director who stated the fire truck had been dispatched to respond to a separate incident.

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What they’re saying

“As we were descending, we hit a lot of turbulence. Then we landed very roughly... Everyone felt it. It was like the plane jolted and you heard the pilot try to brake trying to prevent the collision.”

— Rebecca Liquori, Passenger on Air Canada flight

“Truck one, stop, stop, stop!”

— Air Traffic Controller

“Two young men at the start of their careers.”

— Bran Bedford, FAA Administrator

What’s next

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Canadian authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, with initial focus on air traffic control coordination. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered and are being analyzed.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the critical importance of robust runway safety protocols and effective communication between air traffic control and emergency responders at major airports. The investigation will likely lead to changes aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future and protecting the lives of pilots, crew, and passengers.