From Fox News: An Air Canada Express regional jet struck a Port Authority vehicle on the ground after landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, killing two people and forcing the airport to close.
The CRJ-900 plane, which was arriving from Montreal, struck the vehicle at about 24 miles per hour shortly before midnight, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.
Two pilots were killed in the incident, Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said at a news briefing. More than 40 passengers, crew members and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) officers were transported to the hospital, she said.
“At this time, we understand that 32 have been released, but there are also serious injuries,” Garcia said. “Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased, and notifications are being made by Air Canada’s care team at this time.”
Both pilots were both based out of Canada.
Two Port Authority employees who were traveling in the fire truck also suffered injuries, but they were not believed to be life-threatening, Garcia said.
Garcia said the vehicle was responding to a report of an odor on another plane. (See video below)
Jazz Aviation, Air Canada’s regional partner, was operating the jet. In a statement to Fox News Digital, they said, “Flight 8646 was en route to LGA from Montréal (YUL). The preliminary passenger list indicates the aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and 4 crew members, although this is subject to confirmation. The incident occurred at approximately 11:47PM on March 22, 2026.”
Frantic air traffic control audio of the moment the crash occurred has been released. In the audio, an air traffic controller was discussing a request for the emergency vehicle to cross part of the tarmac and attempted to stop it.
“Stop, Truck 1. Stop,” is heard repeatedly.
Then, the controller can be heard attempting to divert the incoming aircraft.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) declared an emergency and grounded all planes at the airport, but offered no additional details about the emergency.
The airport is expected to be closed until 2 p.m. Monday, the FAA said.
Read more at Fox News
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