This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
An Air Canada Express Bombardier CRJ-900 has collided with a fire truck at 
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), with unconfirmed reports suggesting at least two fatalities and dozens of critical injuries. Early images of the accident reveal significant damage to the regional jet’s cockpit, nose and front fuselage.
The collision reportedly occurred near LGA’s Runway 04 as the aircraft was performing its landing while a fire truck was simultaneously cleared to cross the runway. The airport has now suspended all operations as emergency services tend to the injured.
Air Canada CRJ-900 Smashes Into LaGuardia Fire Truck
At least two people have reportedly been killed after Jazz Airlines Flight 646, an Air Canada Express service from Montreal, collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia on Sunday night. According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft had landed at 11:37 PM local time following a one-hour flight from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
Images of the aftermath reveal catastrophic damage to the front of the CRJ-900, which had tipped back onto its tail, leaving its gnarled cockpit and front fuselage in an elevated position. Along with the two reported fatalities, five more individuals are said to be critically injured, with as many as 70 injuries among passengers. Critical injuries have also been reported among the firefighters occupying the truck. The on-duty controller said the following as the accident unfolded:
“Stop, stop, stop, stop. Stop Truck 1. Stop…. Jazz 646? Jazz 646, I see you collided with a vehicle there. Just hold position.”
Fire Truck Cleared To Cross Runway
Air traffic control (ATC) recordings reveal that the fire truck, identified as Truck 1, requested clearance to cross Runway 04 at Delta, which was granted. However, moments later, a controller frantically ordered the truck to stop as Flight 646 was speeding along the runway. Following the collision, an incoming Delta jet was ordered to go around as the controller attempted to establish communications with the Jazz Airlines pilots.
As reported by aviation insider JonNYC on X, the on-duty controller had been working on his own at the time of the accident, overseeing both ground and tower operations. The controller was reportedly “dealing with another emergency at the time,” which the fire truck had been dispatched to.
Flightradar24 data shows that the CRJ-900’s last recorded ground speed was 21 kts, although its speed at the time of impact will almost certainly have been much higher. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a ground stop at LaGuardia following the accident, grinding all operations to a halt.
Inbound flights have now been diverted to nearby airports, including New York JFK (JFK) and Newark (EWR). According to the Port Authority of NY & NJ, LaGuardia sees an average of over 400 flights per day. Passengers in the New York area have been warned to expect flight cancelations and delays due to the knock-on effect of LGA’s closure.
Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ900s Collide At LaGuardia Airport, Leaving 1 Injured
The incident involved an outbound flight for Roanoke and an inbound flight from Charlotte.
About The Aircraft Involved
The plane involved in Sunday night’s accident is a 20-year-old CRJ-900 (registration: C-GNJZ) operated by Jazz Air on behalf of Air Canada Express. The regional jet can accommodate up to 76 passengers in two cabin classes, with 12 in business and 64 in economy.
The aircraft had departed Montreal more than two hours and 30 minutes later than its scheduled 7:59 PM departure time, eventually setting off at 10:35 PM. The flight to LaGuardia took just over an hour, with the jet touching down at 11:37 PM local time.
Now almost certain to be written off, the CRJ-900 was first delivered to Air Canada Jazz in November 2005, and is equipped with two GE CF34-8C5 engines.
