NEW YORK – Operations at LaGuardia Airport are at a complete standstill after an arriving Air Canada Express jet collided with a Port Authority vehicle on a runway late Sunday night, forcing a full closure of the airport and resulting in multiple injuries. The incident marks a dramatic and troubling turn for an airport that has recently been celebrated for its “worst-to-first” transformation.
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The collision occurred at approximately 11:38 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) immediately issued a ground stop, halting all takeoffs and landings. The airport is expected to remain closed until at least 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, causing widespread cancellations and diversions.
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Key Takeaways
- An Air Canada Express flight arriving from Montreal collided with a Port Authority firefighting vehicle on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport.
- The FAA has issued a ground stop, closing the airport to all traffic until at least Monday afternoon, causing significant travel disruption across the region.
- Multiple injuries have been reported, including to the flight crew and occupants of the ground vehicle, according to sources. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the incident.
What Happened on the Runway?
Our analysis of the events shows that Air Canada Express flight 8646, a CRJ-900 regional jet operated by Jazz Aviation, was on its landing roll from Montreal when the collision occurred. The aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle that, according to a statement from the Port Authority, was responding to a separate incident. There were 72 passengers and four crew members on board the flight.
Unverified photos and videos circulating on social media, which you can find being discussed on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), show the aircraft with catastrophic damage to its nose, tilted upward on the runway surrounded by emergency vehicles. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24, which was among the first to report the incident, noted the aircraft was traveling at approximately 24 miles per hour when it struck the vehicle.
Audio recordings from air traffic control, captured by LiveATC.net, reveal the frantic moments leading up to the crash. In the recordings, a controller can be heard giving a truck permission to cross the runway before urgently shouting, “Stop, stop, stop Truck 1!” moments before confirming a collision had occurred.
What Is the Impact on Travelers?
The immediate aftermath for travelers is chaos. The FAA ground stop has effectively sealed LaGuardia, one of the nation’s busiest airports. Arriving flights have been diverted to other airports or sent back to their points of origin, according to LaGuardia’s website.
Traveler Action Plan:
- Do not go to LaGuardia Airport without confirming your flight status directly with your airline.
- Expect significant delays and cancellations for all airlines operating out of LGA for at least the next 24-48 hours.
- Monitor your airline’s app and website for rebooking options and waivers.
- Check the status of LaGuardia Airport directly from the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center.
The ripple effects will likely be felt across the national aviation system as crews and aircraft are displaced by this shutdown.
| Flight & Airport Details | Status |
|---|---|
| Incident | Air Canada Express AC8646 collision with ground vehicle |
| Location | LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Runway 4 |
| Time | Sunday, March 22, 2026, ~11:38 PM ET |
| Airport Status | CLOSED – FAA Ground Stop in effect |
| Expected Reopening | Not before 2:00 PM ET, Monday, March 23, 2026 |
| Investigating Agencies | FAA, NTSB, Port Authority of NY & NJ |
Who Was Injured?
While official numbers have not been released, reports from sources on the ground paint a serious picture. NBC News reported that at least four people were injured. According to their sources, the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft were badly injured, while a sergeant and an officer in the fire truck sustained broken limbs but were in stable condition. The New York City Fire Department confirmed it responded to the scene, and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stated its leadership was on site.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed it has been notified and will lead the investigation into the cause of the runway incursion and collision. Our team has observed that such investigations are meticulous and will involve analyzing flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, and all communications between air traffic control and the vehicles on the ground.
A Shocking Setback for a Celebrated Airport?
This incident comes as a severe blow to the reputation of LaGuardia Airport. After years of being derided as outdated and inefficient, an $8 billion redevelopment transformed the facility into a world-class airport. This massive overhaul led to LaGuardia being named the “Best Airport of 25 to 40 Million Passengers in North America” for the second year in a row in 2024, a stunning worst-to-first turnaround celebrated by officials and travelers alike, according to reports from outlets like Newsday.
Industry insiders are now noting the stark contrast between the airport’s recent accolades for passenger experience and this grave safety incident on its airfield. The NTSB investigation will be critical in determining whether this was a result of human error, procedural failure, or a systemic issue. As we have seen in past aviation incidents, the findings will have significant implications for airport ground operations not just in New York, but nationwide.
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