Air Canada Regional Jet Collision With LaGuardia Firefighting Vehicle Kills Two Pilots and Injures Dozens as FAA Orders Ground Stop and Airport Closure
An Air Canada Express regional jet struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck on a LaGuardia runway late March 22, killing both pilots of the plane and injuring dozens of passengers, crew and ARFF/Port Authority personnel — with more than 40 people reported taken to hospitals and some suffering serious injuries. The FAA issued a ground stop and LaGuardia was closed to facilitate an NTSB-led investigation, and air-traffic-control audio captured controllers frantically ordering the responding truck to “stop” moments before the collision.
📌 Key Facts
- An Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle on a LaGuardia runway; the ARFF truck was responding to a separate incident on Runway 4.
- Both pilots of the Air Canada Express flight were killed in the collision; officials say the pilots were based in Canada.
- Dozens were injured; reporting indicates at least 42 people were transported to hospitals (about 39 passengers and crew plus ARFF personnel), with some suffering serious injuries; officials said most injured passengers and crew have since been released and two Port Authority employees from the fire truck sustained non–life‑threatening injuries.
- The collision occurred about 11:40–11:47 p.m. on March 22, 2026, and the jet’s ground speed at impact was reported at roughly 24 mph (per Flightradar24).
- Air‑traffic‑control audio released via LiveATC captures a controller repeatedly ordering 'Truck 1' to 'stop, stop' moments before the impact and then frantically diverting an incoming aircraft.
- The FAA issued a ground stop and LaGuardia Airport was closed to facilitate the response and investigation; officials said the airport was expected to remain closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday as the NTSB leads the investigation, with the Port Authority coordinating with federal authorities.
- On‑air analysis from a former NTSB investigator noted investigators will likely examine procedures for emergency vehicle access to active runways, ATC coordination and related safety protocols (analysis pending as investigators collect evidence).
📊 Relevant Data
As of 2023, the FAA air traffic controller workforce was approximately 79.9% male and 20.1% female, indicating a gender imbalance in the profession.
Air traffic controllers & airfield operations specialists — Data USA
In 2023, the ethnic composition of air traffic controllers in the United States was 64% White, with Black or African American representing the next largest group.
Air traffic controller demographics in the United States — CareerExplorer
Fatigue from understaffing and overtime in air traffic control has contributed to an increase in aviation safety incidents, with the global accident rate rising by 36.8% from 1.87 to 2.56 accidents per million departures between 2023 and 2024.
During the recent DHS shutdown, LaGuardia Airport experienced 16% of TSA officers calling out, contributing to staffing shortages and long security lines at the airport.
Travelers at LaGuardia Airport report long security lines due to staffing shortages — CBS News
Government shutdowns have exacerbated FAA air traffic controller shortages, with staffing levels dropping by about 6% in the last decade while air travel increased by 10%.
📰 Source Timeline (6)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that the two people killed in the collision were the pilots of the Air Canada Express plane.
- Restates that dozens of people were injured in the incident.
- Reiterates that LaGuardia Airport is closed following the collision between the Air Canada Express plane and an emergency vehicle on the runway.
- CBS segment confirms the collision was between an Air Canada Express plane and a fire-and-rescue vehicle on a LaGuardia runway, consistent with prior reports.
- Includes on-air analysis from former NTSB air safety investigator Gregory Feith about likely investigative focus and safety questions (procedures for emergency vehicle access to active runways, ATC coordination, etc.), though no concrete new facts about casualties or cause are provided in the clip text.
- Reiterates that officials have confirmed the deaths of both pilots in the collision.
- Air traffic control audio released via LiveATC captures a controller repeatedly ordering 'Truck 1' to 'stop, stop' moments before the collision and then frantically diverting an incoming aircraft from landing.
- Fox article confirms at least 42 total injured: 39 passengers and crew transported to hospitals plus two Port Authority employees in the fire truck with non–life-threatening injuries.
- Port Authority executive director Kathryn Garcia reiterates that the pilot and copilot were based in Canada and that most injured passengers and crew have since been released from treatment.
- The article specifies that LaGuardia will remain closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday to facilitate the NTSB-led investigation.
- Confirms that two people were killed in the collision, according to a person familiar with the investigation.
- States that two Port Authority employees traveling in the fire truck were injured.
- Clarifies that the vehicle struck was a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle responding to a separate incident.
- Notes that LaGuardia Airport was closed as of 3 a.m. to facilitate the investigation.
- Includes details and quoted audio from air‑traffic‑control transmissions attempting to stop 'Truck 1' and divert incoming aircraft.
- Confirms the struck Port Authority vehicle was an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck responding to a separate incident on Runway 4.
- Specifies that two Port Authority pilots in the ARFF vehicle were killed and that more than 40 passengers, crew, and ARFF officers were transported to hospitals, with at least some suffering serious injuries.
- Provides the aircraft’s approximate ground speed at impact (about 24 mph per Flightradar24) and the exact reported time of the incident (about 11:40–11:47 p.m. on March 22, 2026).
- States that the FAA issued a ground stop and that LaGuardia is expected to remain closed until 2 p.m. Monday, with many inbound flights diverted or returned.
- Includes on‑record statements from Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia and a Port Authority spokesperson describing emergency protocols and confirming coordination with federal authorities.