A devastating incident unfolded late Sunday night at LaGuardia Airport when an Air Canada Express flight collided with an airport fire truck during landing, leaving two pilots dead and dozens injured.

The aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation as flight AC8646, had just arrived from Montreal when it struck a firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate emergency on the runway.

What Happened

• The plane was carrying 76 people (72 passengers and 4 crew)
• 41 individuals were taken to hospital, with several in serious condition
• Two airport workers in the fire truck were also injured, though not critically
• Tragically, both pilots — based in Canada — were killed in the crash

Air traffic control recordings suggest the situation unfolded quickly, with controllers attempting to stop the vehicle moments before impact.

Scene of the Crash

Images from the runway show a severely damaged CRJ-900 aircraft, its nose crumpled and cockpit torn open. Nearby, the fire truck lay overturned as emergency crews rushed to evacuate passengers using stairways.

The airport was shut down for hours as investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board began examining the incident.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are now working to determine how the collision occurred, particularly how a runway vehicle and incoming aircraft ended up in the same path.

Canadian officials confirmed they are cooperating closely with U.S. investigators, emphasizing that aviation safety remains the top priority.