A serious aviation incident has forced the closure of LaGuardia Airport in New York City on March 23, 2026, after an Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck on the runway, triggering a mass casualty response, an FAA ground stop, and the suspension of all flight operations at one of the busiest airports in the United States.
Here is everything confirmed and reported so far.
What Happened at LaGuardia Airport
An Air Canada Express flight operating from Montreal collided with a ground vehicle upon landing at LaGuardia Airport, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24. The flight involved has been identified in early reports as Jazz Flight 646, operating from Montreal, believed to be a CRJ-900 regional jet. According to flight tracking data, the collision occurred as the aircraft attempted to cross Runway 04/22 and struck a fire truck identified as Truck 1 on the taxiway area near Runway 4.
Videos emerging from the scene show significant structural damage to the Air Canada Express aircraft following the collision. Emergency services responded immediately and a mass casualty event was declared at the airport.
LaGuardia Airport Crash: How Many Dead, How Many Injured
As per early reports from emergency responders on scene, two people have been confirmed dead at the scene. These fatalities are reported to be crew members of the fire truck involved in the collision. The New York Post reported that approximately 100 passengers were on board the flight, and their conditions were being evaluated by emergency services at the time of reporting. Unverified reports circulating on social media and aviation monitoring platforms suggest injuries could number as high as 100, with several described as critical.
It is important to note that the injury and death figures cited in this article are as per early reports and social media accounts and have not yet been fully confirmed by official authorities including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the FAA, or Air Canada. These numbers may change as the situation develops and official statements are issued.
LaGuardia Airport Airport Status
The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for all planes at LaGuardia Airport following the incident. The FAA notice, accessed by Reuters, showed the reason for the halt as the runway collision. The ground stop was issued until 0530 GMT, though the broader operational status of the airport remains severely disrupted. LaGuardia Airport has effectively been closed as a result of the incident, with all inbound and outbound flights suspended.
Passengers with bookings through LaGuardia Airport on March 23 are advised to contact their airlines directly for updates on rebooking, rerouting, and schedule information. Significant flight disruption is expected to continue for an extended period as emergency services remain on scene and authorities assess the runway and surrounding infrastructure.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are both involved in the investigation into the incident. The NTSB typically leads investigations into aviation accidents of this nature and will be responsible for determining the sequence of events, the cause of the collision, and any contributing factors. An official NTSB investigation can take months to complete, though preliminary findings are typically released within the first few days.
LaGuardia Airport handles tens of millions of passengers annually and is one of three major airports serving the New York metropolitan area alongside John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. A runway collision of this nature at a major US airport is an extremely rare event. The last major runway collision at a US airport to result in fatalities occurred decades ago, making this incident one of the most serious aviation safety events at an American airport in recent memory.
This is a developing story. Business Upturn will update this article as official confirmation on casualty figures, the cause of the collision, and the airport’s reopening timeline is released by authorities.
This is a developing story.