Quick summary
An Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck on LaGuardia Airport’s runway 4 at 11:47 PM ET on March 22, 2026, killing both pilots and injuring 41 people — 39 passengers and crew plus 2 firefighters. The airport shut down at 3:16 AM ET on March 23 and remained closed until at least 2 PM ET the same day, forcing the cancellation of nearly 600 flights. The CRJ-900 aircraft, operating Flight 8646 from Montreal, was traveling at 93–105 mph when it struck the truck, which was responding to a separate incident involving a United Airlines aircraft.
The NTSB deployed a “go team” to investigate the runway incursion on March 23. Travelers with bookings through LaGuardia on March 23–24 face immediate cancellations and diversions to JFK or Newark — airlines are offering no-fee rebooking, but slots at alternate airports are filling rapidly.
A fatal collision between an Air Canada Express regional jet and a fire truck on a LaGuardia Airport runway has killed two pilots, injured dozens, and shut down one of the busiest airports on the US East Coast.
Flight 8646, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, was landing from Montreal when it struck a Port Authority fire truck crossing runway 4 at 11:47 PM ET on March 22, 2026. The aircraft was traveling between 93 and 105 mph at the moment of impact. Both pilots died at the scene. Of the 72 passengers and 4 crew aboard, 41 were hospitalized — including one flight attendant who was ejected from the aircraft — and 32 have since been released. Two firefighters aboard the truck were also injured.
LaGuardia closed at 3:16 AM ET on March 23 and will remain shut until at least 2 PM ET the same day. Nearly 600 flights were canceled on March 23 according to Flightradar24, affecting primarily Air Canada routes from Canadian hubs, domestic US shuttles, and European arrivals. Roads and terminal entrances remain closed as the NTSB secures the crash site.
The fire truck was responding to a separate odor issue aboard a United Airlines aircraft when the collision occurred. The NTSB has deployed a full investigative team to examine the runway incursion — the term for unauthorized vehicle or aircraft movement on an active runway.
What caused the collision
The crash occurred on runway 4, one of LaGuardia’s two primary runways, during a routine landing. The Port Authority fire truck was crossing the runway when the CRJ-900 struck it at high speed. FAA regulations require positive coordination between air traffic control and ground vehicles before any runway crossing — a protocol governed by FAA Order 7110.65, which mandates explicit clearance for vehicle movements on active runways.
The NTSB’s preliminary investigation will focus on whether the fire truck received proper clearance to cross, whether air traffic control issued conflicting instructions, and whether the pilots had visual or radio warning of the obstruction. LaGuardia recorded two runway incursions in 2025, according to FAA data — a rate consistent with the airport’s congested layout and high traffic volume.
Air Canada and Jazz Aviation have confirmed full cooperation with investigators and established a family assistance hotline at 1-888-247-2262 for US callers. The airline has not commented on the pilots’ experience levels or the aircraft’s maintenance history, both of which will be part of the NTSB’s review.
| Metric | Count | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Flights canceled | ~600 | March 23 only |
| Passengers aboard AC8646 | 72 | 41 hospitalized, 32 released |
| Fatalities | 2 | Both pilots |
| Airport closure duration | 11+ hours | 3:16 AM–2 PM ET (minimum) |
| NTSB team arrival | March 23 | Investigation underway |
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Why this matters for travelers
The collision forced LaGuardia to shut down at 3:16 AM ET on March 23, triggering a cascade of cancellations across the US East Coast. The airport’s closure means airlines cannot land or depart, and the NTSB’s site security requirements take precedence over operational recovery. Nearly 600 flights were canceled on March 23 — affecting not just Air Canada routes from Montreal and Toronto, but also domestic shuttles from Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta, plus European arrivals from London and Paris.
Travelers with bookings through LaGuardia on March 23–24 face two outcomes: diversions to JFK or Newark, or outright cancellations. Airlines are offering no-fee rebooking, but alternate airport slots are filling rapidly as carriers reroute hundreds of flights. The end-state for most travelers is a 24–48 hour delay, with priority given to passengers already in transit. Those planning non-essential travel should avoid LaGuardia until the FAA issues an all-clear — expected no earlier than late March 23.
The investigation may extend scrutiny to similar regional operations. If the NTSB identifies systemic issues with runway vehicle coordination at congested airports, expect heightened FAA audits at LaGuardia and other high-traffic hubs for 6–12 months. That could mean longer ground delays and more conservative runway management across the Northeast.
What to do if you’re affected
LaGuardia’s closure creates immediate booking pressure at JFK and Newark — act within 24 hours to secure alternate flights or face multi-day delays.
- Call your airline directly: Air Canada passengers should use 1-888-247-2262 (US). Delta, United, and American have activated rebooking waivers for LaGuardia flights on March 23–24. Do not wait for the airline to contact you.
- Check JFK and Newark availability: Use google.com/flights to search for same-day or next-day options. Delta shuttles from Boston and United shuttles from Chicago have open seats as of March 23 morning.
- Monitor the Port Authority: The official reopening announcement will come from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Check panynj.gov/airports/laguardia for updates — the 2 PM ET target is a minimum, not a guarantee.
- File for refunds if needed: US DOT rules require automatic refunds for cancellations if no alternate is offered within 7 days. File at airconsumer.dot.gov. Canadian passengers departing from Montreal fall under APPR rules, which mandate rebooking or refund within 48 hours.
Watch: The NTSB preliminary report is expected within 14–30 days (mid-April 2026). If the investigation blames air traffic control or vehicle clearance procedures, expect heightened FAA audits at LaGuardia for 6–12 months, which could mean longer ground delays for all carriers.
Questions? Answers.
Will LaGuardia reopen on March 23?
The Port Authority has set a minimum reopening target of 2 PM ET on March 23, but the NTSB’s site security requirements may extend the closure. Monitor panynj.gov/airports/laguardia for official updates — the airport will not reopen until investigators clear the runway.
Can I get a refund if my LaGuardia flight was canceled?
Yes. US DOT rules require automatic refunds for cancellations if the airline does not offer an alternate flight within 7 days. File at airconsumer.dot.gov. Canadian passengers departing from Montreal fall under APPR rules, which mandate rebooking or refund within 48 hours.
What caused the fire truck to be on the runway?
The Port Authority fire truck was responding to a separate odor issue aboard a United Airlines aircraft when it crossed runway 4. The NTSB is investigating whether the truck received proper clearance from air traffic control and whether the pilots of Flight 8646 had visual or radio warning of the obstruction.
How often do runway incursions happen at LaGuardia?
LaGuardia recorded two runway incursions in 2025, according to FAA data. The airport’s congested layout and high traffic volume make it more prone to vehicle and aircraft conflicts than less busy airports. The last comparable incident — a Delta A319 nearly hitting a snowplow in January 2023 — resulted in ATC retraining and full operations resuming within 72 hours.
