New York's Laguardia Airport Shut After Air Canada Plane Collides With Fire Truck (WATCH)

Emergency crews rushed to LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night after an Air Canada Express regional jet reportedly collided with an airport fire truck on the tarmac, triggering a major response and forcing authorities to halt flights at one of the United States' busiest airports.

Images circulating on social media showed the aircraft with visible damage to its nose section while multiple emergency responders surrounded the plane on the taxiway.

Authorities have not yet confirmed casualties, though early reports on social media suggested two people have been killed and at least 70 people have been left injured. Investigations into the incident are underway.

BREAKING UPDATE: MULTIPLE CRITICAL PATIENTS AFTER AIR CANADA FLIGHT COLLIDES WITH VEHICLE WHILE LANDING AT LAGUARDIA AIRPORT. POSSIBLE FATALITIES. twitter/62SUgxoUkA

- Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 23, 2026

#BREAKING: At this time, at least 70 people have been injured following a collision involving a plane and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Officials at the on-site have confirmed that two individuals have been pronounced dead at the scene. twitter/1L9J34eJyk

- R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 23, 2026

BREAKING: Mass casualty incident declared at LaGuardia Airport, New York Canada Express CRJ-900, approximately 100 passengers, collided with a fire truck on the runway.5 first responders were in the truck. 5 in critical condition. Fatalities unconfirmed flights... twitter/oz7IpIwl2T

- Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 23, 2026

Collision Reported on Taxiway Near Runway

According to initial reports, the aircraft involved was Air Canada Express flight AC8646, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation.

The plane reportedly struck an airport fire truck while crossing a taxiway near Runway 4/22.

Early photographs from the scene appear to show significant damage to the regional jet's nose and front fuselage, suggesting a forceful impact. Passengers were reportedly evacuated onto the tarmac as emergency teams arrived.

Air traffic control recordings circulating online also captured urgent warnings during the moments before the collision.

ATC audio captured urgent "stop" calls to the truck; a Delta flight was waved off.

BREAKING: Several injuries reported after Air Canada plane collided with a firetruck at New York's LaGuardia airport runway twitter/lxHgnJDnu4

- Mr Remilekun (@remilekunbalo11) March 23, 2026

Emergency Response and Airport Shutdown

Following the incident, flights at LaGuardia Airport were halted after US authorities issued a ground stop for the major transport hub.

No reason for the suspension was given by the Federal Aviation Administration, which said there was a "high" likelihood that the order would be extended.

BREAKING: FAA says LaGuardia Airport in New York City closed, with ground stop issued after collision involving plane and fire truck. twitter/cmly4ffWRc

- AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) March 23, 2026

Reports suggested, emergency services quickly deployed across the taxiway as crews worked to assess the situation and attend to those on board the aircraft.

The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to lead the investigation into the collision, alongside the FAA.

Officials will likely examine air traffic control communications, aircraft movement data and the positioning of airport vehicles at the time of the incident.

The reported accident comes at a time when airports across the United States are grappling with staffing shortages, particularly among Transportation Security Administration personnel.

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