Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collides with fire truck at LaGuardia, killing two pilots

Quick summary

An Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collided with a Port Authority fire truck on LaGuardia Airport’s Runway 4 at 11:47 p.m. ET on March 22, 2026, killing both pilots and injuring 39–43 passengers and crew. The aircraft, operating Flight 8646 from Montreal with 76 people aboard, struck the fire truck at 93–105 mph after air traffic control cleared the vehicle to cross the active runway. Runway 4 remains closed until Friday morning, March 27, forcing cancellations and diversions across LaGuardia’s network.

Rebecca Liquori, a nurse aboard the flight, described the sound of screaming passengers and the chaos of the evacuation in interviews this week. Four to six passengers remain hospitalized as of March 26, with injuries ranging from broken bones to head trauma.

The collision — LaGuardia’s first fatal incident in 34 years — has grounded operations on the airport’s primary runway and triggered a full NTSB investigation into how a fire truck responding to an unrelated odor complaint ended up in the path of a landing aircraft.

Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther died on impact. A flight attendant survived ejection from the aircraft while still strapped into her seat. Two police officers in the fire truck sustained injuries.

Liquori, who works as a nurse in New York, told reporters she cannot stop hearing the screams. “I just remember the impact, the sound of metal tearing, and then people yelling,” she said. She helped other passengers exit the wreckage before being transported to a hospital herself.

The NTSB completed its wreckage examination on March 26 and returned the aircraft to Air Canada. Investigators are now interviewing the fire truck’s occupants and reviewing cockpit voice recordings, ATC communications, and runway warning system logs.

What the investigation is examining

The NTSB’s go-team arrived at LaGuardia within hours of the crash. Their focus: why the fire truck was cleared to cross Runway 4 while Flight 8646 was on final approach, and whether the airport’s ground radar system — designed to prevent exactly this type of incursion — failed or was ignored.

Air traffic control audio reviewed by investigators shows the fire truck received clearance to cross the runway. What remains unclear is whether the controller was aware of the inbound aircraft’s position, and whether the truck’s crew had visual confirmation the runway was clear. Only two controllers were staffing the tower overnight — a detail the NTSB is scrutinizing as part of its staffing review.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, has not commented on whether the fire truck was responding under emergency protocols that might have altered standard runway crossing procedures. The NTSB’s preliminary report is expected within two to four weeks.

How this affects travelers

Air Canada Express Flight 8646’s collision with the fire truck closed Runway 4 — LaGuardia’s primary runway — immediately after the crash. The Port Authority began clearing wreckage on March 23, but the runway remained shut through March 26 as investigators documented the scene.

The closure forced LaGuardia to operate at roughly 50% capacity for four days. More than 100 flights were canceled or diverted between March 23 and March 26, with the Montreal–LaGuardia route — Air Canada’s primary service into the airport — seeing the heaviest disruption. Passengers with bookings through March 27 received automatic cancellation notices and rebooking options via Air Canada’s website.

The Port Authority confirmed Runway 4 will reopen by Friday morning, March 27, restoring full operations. Travelers planning trips through LaGuardia this weekend should see normal schedules, though residual delays are possible as airlines reposition aircraft.

Protect your booking if you’re affected

LaGuardia operations return to normal on March 27, but if your flight was canceled or you’re rerouting through New York in the next week, these steps apply now.

• Check your flight status directly with the airline — Air Canada, American, and United all operate Montreal–New York routes. If your Air Canada flight was canceled, the airline must offer rebooking or a full refund under DOT rules.
• File for compensation if your flight originated in Canada — Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations entitle you to $200–$600 CAD for delays over three hours when the airline is at fault. This incident falls under safety exemptions, but file anyway if your delay exceeded three hours.
• Document expenses if you were stranded — hotels, meals, and ground transport costs incurred due to the cancellation can be claimed through Air Canada’s customer service portal or your travel insurance if the airline denies the claim.
• Rebook through alternate airports if LaGuardia remains uncertain — Newark and JFK both serve Montreal with multiple daily frequencies. American and United have availability, though fares are elevated due to demand spikes.

Questions? Answers.