LaGuardia Airport Closed After Air Canada Jet Collides With Fire Truck on Landing — Fatalities Reported

What What We Know So Far

At approximately 11:38 p.m. on Sunday night, a Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR operating as an Air Canada Express flight collided with Fire Truck 1 on or near Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport while the aircraft was on approach to land. Audio from air traffic control, monitored by aviation tracking service The ATC App, indicated that the tower had given permission for the fire truck and accompanying vehicles to cross at taxiway G before the collision occurred.

Multiple videos posted to social media showed the Air Canada jet with catastrophic damage to the front of the aircraft. A New York Times journalist on the ground at the airport reported seeing the plane's nose completely sheared off, with the destroyed fire truck lying on its side nearby. Fatalities are being reported, though official confirmation of the number of casualties had not been released as of early Monday morning.

Source: Screenshot from @sentdefender on X

At least two individuals are known to be seriously injured and hospitalized.

The New York City Fire Department responded to the scene at 11:38 p.m. The FAA issued a formal ground stop at 12:44 a.m. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it had received notification of the incident and will lead the investigation.

Source: Screenshot from FAA Website

Earlier in the evening, LaGuardia had already warned of flight disruptions due to weather conditions, with light rain and fog affecting the area at the time of the collision.

The Aircraft and Air Traffic Control Questions

The aircraft involved was a Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR, registered as C-GNJZ. It’s a regional jet commonly used for shorter flights and was operating under the Air Canada Express banner. Planes of this type typically carry around 75 to 90 passengers.

Audio from air traffic control is raising some important questions about how well the control tower and ground vehicles were coordinating that night. Based on recordings from the air traffic control frequency, the tower gave permission for Fire Truck 1 and other vehicles to cross the runway at a specific point known as taxiway G.

The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.S. agency that looks into aviation accidents, will focus closely on whether standard safety procedures for preventing runway incursions were followed. Investigators will also examine how that clearance was communicated and whether everyone involved understood it the same way.

Source: Screenshot from BNO News on X

What It Means for Travelers

The airport closure notice shows that LaGuardia (LGA) will stay closed until 19:00 GMT+1, which is about 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday. That timing knocks out the entire morning rush and a large portion of the afternoon schedule. Even after the airport reopens, things will not return to normal right away. Airlines will still be working through a backlog of delayed and canceled flights.

If you are flying into or out of LaGuardia today, do not head to the airport until you have checked your flight status directly with your airline. For now, the other major New York area airports, John F. Kennedy International (JFK) in Queens and Newark Liberty International (EWR) in New Jersey, are operating normally.

If you are booked on Air Canada or an Air Canada Express flight, contact the airline as soon as possible. If you have a connection through LaGuardia, try to rebook early before lines build up at customer service desks and phone queues.

This is still developing, and more updates will follow as new information becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions: LaGuardia Airport Closure March 23, 2026

Is LaGuardia Airport open today?

No. LaGuardia is closed following the late-night runway collision. The current closure runs through approximately 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, March 23, though extended disruptions are likely beyond the official reopening window.

What happened at LaGuardia Airport?

A Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR operating as an Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck on Runway 4 while landing at approximately 11:38 p.m. on Sunday, March 22. The aircraft's nose was sheared off in the collision and the fire truck was destroyed. Fatalities are being reported.

Are there fatalities?

Fatalities are being reported as of early Monday morning. Official casualty figures have not yet been confirmed by authorities. At least two people are known to be seriously injured and hospitalized.

What aircraft was involved?

A Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR registered as C-GNJZ, operating as an Air Canada Express flight. The CRJ-900 is a regional jet that typically carries between 75 and 90 passengers.

Was there an air traffic control issue?

Audio from air traffic control monitored by The ATC App indicated the tower gave permission for Fire Truck 1 and accompanying vehicles to cross at taxiway G before the collision. The NTSB investigation will examine ATC communications and runway incursion protocols as part of its inquiry.

What should I do if my flight is out of LaGuardia today?

Check your flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport. Most carriers will offer fee-free rebooking for passengers affected by the closure. JFK and Newark Liberty are both operating normally and may be alternatives depending on your carrier.

Who is investigating?

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. The FAA is also involved. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, had not publicly commented as of early Monday morning.

What caused the collision?

The official cause has not been determined. The NTSB investigation will examine ATC communications, runway crossing clearances, weather conditions, and all other contributing factors.