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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Aviation Accident

LaGuardia Airport plane crash

The LaGuardia Airport plane crash refers to a fatal March 2026 collision in New York City between an Air Canada Express regional jet and a fire truck on the airport’s tarmac.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

The LaGuardia Airport plane crash was a fatal March 2026 collision between an Air Canada Express regional jet and a fire truck on the tarmac in New York City, killing two pilots and injuring dozens.

What happened

On a Sunday evening in March 2026, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 struck a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport. The collision killed both pilots and injured passengers, crew, and emergency responders. The airport closed temporarily and reopened the next day.

Aircraft and casualties

The aircraft was a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation for Air Canada Express, carrying 72 passengers and four crew from Montreal. Two pilots died, and at least 41 people were transported to medical facilities; other reports said 43 were injured.

Investigation and Canadian angle

U.S. and Canadian authorities opened investigations into the collision, which was LaGuardia’s first fatal crash in decades. The flight originated in Montreal, making the incident directly relevant to Canadian aviation.

In short

  • Two pilots died when an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 hit a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in March 2026.
  • Dozens of passengers, crew, and responders were injured; at least 41 were taken to hospitals.
  • The airport closed after the crash and reopened the next day.
  • Investigations by U.S. and Canadian authorities are ongoing.
Canadian angle

The aircraft was operating as Air Canada Express on a route from Montreal, so the incident was directly relevant to Canadian aviation and Canadian readers.[1][5][12]

Quick questions

What caused the LaGuardia plane crash?
The crash involved a collision between the aircraft and a fire truck on the airport surface. The formal cause was still under investigation in the reporting provided.
How many people died?
Two people died: the aircraft’s pilot and co-pilot.
What airline was involved?
The flight was operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada Express.

Sources

  1. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gvpmz18e0o
    Supports: Aircraft type, operator, date/time, injuries, and that two aviators died.
  2. ABC News — https://abcnews.com/US/laguardia-airport-closed-collision-air-canada-plane-airport/story?id=131315551
    Supports: Two fatalities, operator, vehicle collision, airport closure, and first fatal crash in decades.
  3. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/air-canada-express-plane-hits-ground-vehicle-new-yorks-la-guardia-airport-2026-03-23/
    Supports: CRJ-900 type, Jazz Aviation operation, Montreal origin, 72 passengers, four crew, injuries, and closure.
  4. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/24/us/laguardia-airplane-rescue-truck-collision
    Supports: Closure duration, investigations by U.S. and Canadian transportation safety boards, and surface technology context.
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz67jq0enwpo
    Supports: Named pilots, timing, injuries, and airport closure.
  6. NBC New York — https://www.nbcnewyork.com/queens/live-updates-pilot-co-pilot-killed-plane-truck-laguardia-runway/6479896/
    Supports: Collision with firetruck, timing, fatalities, injuries, and passenger count.
  7. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c620w12y59nt
    Supports: Occurrence details, injuries, and mention of truck occupants.
  8. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03/24/nyregion/laguardia-plane-crash
    Supports: Aircraft identification, passenger count, departure from Montreal, and investigation focus.