Airport Horror: 70 Injured in Fiery Collision

March 23, 2026

Air Canada planes parked at an airport terminal with ground crew working

Heroic New York firefighters fight for their lives after an Air Canada jet smashed into their fire truck at LaGuardia Airport, exposing dangerous vulnerabilities in a congested hub long plagued by near-misses.

Story Snapshot

Air Canada Express Flight 646, a Bombardier CRJ-900LR from Montreal, collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a taxiway near Runway 4 amid heavy rain late Sunday night.
At least 4 FDNY firefighters critically injured, 2 Port Authority officers seriously hurt, and up to 60-70 total injuries reported, with unconfirmed fatalities.
LaGuardia Airport fully closed, flights diverted, FAA ground stop in effect until at least 5:30-6:00 a.m. Monday, disrupting thousands of travelers.
Chaotic scene with damaged cockpit, passengers evacuated on tarmac; NTSB and FAA investigations underway into weather and vehicle placement factors.
Port Authority’s history of taxiway incidents raises questions about safety oversight at this vital NYC gateway under federal scrutiny.

Collision Details and Immediate Aftermath

Air Canada Express Flight 646, operated by Jazz Airlines as a Bombardier CRJ-900LR with registration C-GNJZ, landed safely from Montreal at LaGuardia Airport around 11:37-11:40 p.m. EDT. While taxiing to the Delta terminal near Runway 4, the jet struck a Port Authority fire truck during rainy weather that reduced visibility. Videos captured the cockpit’s front section heavily damaged, with passengers quickly evacuated onto the tarmac amid emergency lights. First responders rushed to the scene, but reports indicate the fire truck’s crew bore the brunt of the low-speed impact.

Heavy Toll on Responders and Passengers

Four FDNY firefighters sustained critical injuries responding to the incident, while two Port Authority officers suffered serious wounds. Overall injury counts climbed to 60-70, including passengers and crew from the flight carrying roughly 100 people. Unverified reports mention an Orthodox Jewish group from the New York area aboard, adding emotional weight to the chaos. Possible fatalities remain unconfirmed as medical teams triaged victims post-midnight. Families wait anxiously as hospitals strain under the mass casualty load.

Airport Shutdown and Investigation Launch

LaGuardia Airport shut down completely by 11:50 p.m. EDT after the FAA issued a ground stop on departures. All incoming flights diverted, stranding travelers during a busy spring period. The Port Authority, which manages the facility, secured the Taxiway near Runway 4 as weather improved slightly. FAA and NTSB initiated probes into potential causes, including air traffic control communications and the fire truck’s positioning. No official statements yet from Air Canada or Port Authority executives.

Early updates from FDNY confirmed the plane-vehicle collision, while aviation trackers like Flightradar24 verified the flight’s routine Montreal-LGA path. Disrupted operations highlight LaGuardia’s tight layout, known for past incidents like the 2019 Delta excursion.

Port Authority Safety Record Under Scrutiny

LaGuardia, a major New York City hub run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, faces renewed questions over its congested design near water and runways. Previous events include a 2023 jet bridge near-miss and general U.S. taxiway vehicle strikes, such as Chicago O’Hare’s 2023 plane-snowplow collision. No exact fire truck precedents exist, but this post-landing mishap underscores ground vehicle-aircraft separation risks in poor weather. Under President Trump’s administration, expect federal demands for accountability to protect American travelers and heroes like these firefighters.

Short-term chaos means millions in delay costs amid high fuel prices from global tensions. Long-term, fines, lawsuits, and protocol changes loom for airlines and operators. Political eyes turn to Port Authority management as investigations unfold.

DEVELOPING: Mass Casualty Event: Plane Collides with Firetruck at LaGuardia Airport

READ: https://t.co/bk8yzb3CXh pic.twitter.com/DBem82Nbbq

— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) March 23, 2026