Pilot, Co-Pilot Killed, 13 Injured: LaGuardia Airport Shut After Runway Crash

Two crew members were killed and at least 13 people were injured after an Air Canada Express passenger plane collided with a fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday, according to US media reports.

The CRJ-900 aircraft, arriving from Montreal, struck a fire engine on runway 4 at around 11:38 pm local time in New York City’s Queens borough.

Reports from NBC and Sky News said the victims included the pilot and co-pilot, while those injured included two firefighters.

According to reports, the fire truck belonged to the Port Authority Police Department and collided with the aircraft as it was landing.

An NBC report said a sergeant and an officer on the fire truck sustained broken limbs and are in stable condition at a hospital.

Data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft struck the vehicle at a speed of about 24 miles per hour or 39 kilometres per hour.

The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for all flights at the airport, citing an emergency and warning of a high probability of an extension.

LaGuardia Airport’s website showed that all arriving flights were either diverted or returned to their point of origin.

In a separate notice to airmen, the FAA said the airport could remain shut until 1800 GMT, though authorities have not yet released full details on injuries or the extent of the damage.

A ColLive report said the collision occurred as the aircraft, operated by regional carrier Jazz Airlines, was heading to a gate amid heavy weather in the area.

US media reports said there were four crew members and 72 passengers on board the Bombardier CRJ-900, and their conditions are being evaluated.

The New York Post, citing sources, reported that the plane was carrying a group of Orthodox Jews from the New York area.

The fire truck had reportedly been cleared to cross runway 4 to respond to a United 737 Max flight that had declared an emergency on the ground due to a strange odour that was making flight attendants sick.

How many flights were cancelled after the Air Canada Express collision at LaGuardia Airport?

LaGuardia Airport, a key regional hub handling nearly 900 daily departures and arrivals according to January data from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, saw widespread disruption following the incident.

Air Canada operates around 23 flights daily from the airport.

The FAA said there would be no flights into or out of LaGuardia Airport until 2 pm Eastern time on Monday. More than 400 scheduled flights had been cancelled as of 3:44 am Eastern time, according to FlightRadar24.

New York City’s emergency alert system warned of cancellations, road closures and traffic delays around the airport in Queens, urging people to use alternate routes.

In a post on X, the airport said the Port Authority Police Department was on the scene along with senior officials and that operations were partially shut to allow for a thorough investigation.

The New York Police Department said on social media that all streets and highway exits into LaGuardia Airport were closed due to an “emergency incident.”