Deadly LaGuardia Airport Crash: Runway Safety System Failed to Alert

NTSB says the system did not detect the firefighting vehicle on the runway before the collision with an Air Canada Express plane.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:42pm

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A deadly collision between an Air Canada Express plane and a Port Authority firefighting vehicle at New York's LaGuardia Airport on March 22, 2026 killed both pilots and left dozens injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation found that the runway safety system meant to track surface movement of planes and vehicles "did not alert" to the presence of the fire truck, which was not equipped with a required transponder.

Why it matters

The LaGuardia crash raises serious concerns about runway safety systems and procedures at major airports. The failure of the safety system to detect the fire truck on the runway despite its lack of a transponder suggests potential vulnerabilities in airport operations that could lead to future accidents if not addressed.

The details

The collision occurred shortly after the Air Canada flight from Montreal touched down around 11:45 p.m. The plane, operated by Jazz Aviation, struck the rescue-and-firefighting vehicle that was responding to another aircraft. Preliminary data shows the plane was traveling between 93 and 105 mph when it hit the fire truck. At least 41 people were taken to hospitals following the crash.

  • The collision happened on March 22, 2026 around 11:45 p.m.
  • LaGuardia Airport was shut down for more than 12 hours after the crash.
  • The runway where the collision occurred will remain closed until 7 a.m. Friday, according to the FAA.

The players

Air Canada Express

The airline operating the plane involved in the collision.

Port Authority

The agency that operates LaGuardia Airport and owned the firefighting vehicle involved in the crash.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The federal agency investigating the deadly crash at LaGuardia Airport.

Jennifer Homendy

The chair of the NTSB who provided updates on the investigation.

Antoine Forest

One of the two pilots killed in the crash.

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What they’re saying

“We must do everything we can to understand what happened and why to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.”

— Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chair

“The pilots saved many lives on that flight -- and my heart's just broken for them.”

— Joe, Passenger on the Air Canada flight

What’s next

The NTSB will continue its investigation, including analyzing the cockpit voice recorder and interviewing the air traffic controller on duty at the time of the crash.

The takeaway

This deadly accident at a major U.S. airport underscores the critical importance of robust runway safety systems and procedures to protect both air travelers and airport personnel. The NTSB's findings will likely prompt reviews of safety protocols at airports nationwide to identify and address any vulnerabilities.