News
Pilot, Co-Pilot Die After Jet Hits Fire Truck at LaGuardia Airport
A passenger jet struck a fire truck during landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Monday, March 23, 2026, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot. Dozens of other individuals sustained injuries in the incident, which led to the airport's temporary closure.
A tragic incident occurred on Monday, March 23, 2026, when an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport. The collision, which NBC News reported resulted in the deaths of both the pilot and co-pilot, also left dozens injured. The fire truck involved was staffed by police officers, with NBC News indicating that a sergeant and an officer suffered broken limbs and were in stable condition at a hospital. The aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation, a subsidiary of Chorus Aviation, had departed from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members aboard, according to an initial manifest. Data from a flight monitoring service indicated the plane struck the emergency vehicle at approximately 39 kilometres per hour. Following the event, the US aviation authority announced the airport would remain closed until 2 p.m., and 18 flights were rerouted to other airports or returned to their origin points.
Key Facts
- A passenger jet collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Monday, March 23, 2026.
- The pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft were killed in the incident, as reported by NBC News.
- Dozens of other individuals were injured, including a police sergeant and an officer from the fire truck who sustained broken limbs.
- The Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members from Montreal.
- The aircraft struck the fire vehicle at a speed of about 39 kilometres per hour, according to flight tracking information.
- The US Federal Aviation Administration anticipated the airport would be closed until 2 p.m. following the collision.
- Eighteen flights were diverted to other airports, primarily within the New York area, or returned to their departure points.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- Irish Independent — Pilot and co-pilot killed after passenger jet hits fire truck during landing at New York's LaGuardia airport