What Happened At LaGuardia? Air Canada Plane Hits Fire Truck, Airport Shut: All You Need To Know

A late-night aviation incident at New York's LaGuardia Airport briefly disrupted operations after an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a Port Authority emergency vehicle shortly after landing. The crash triggered an emergency response, led to a temporary shutdown of the airport, and forced several incoming flights to be diverted as US authorities began investigating what went wrong.

How Did The Air Canada Express Plane Crash Happen?

The incident took place late on Sunday night after an Air Canada Express aircraft arrived at LaGuardia Airport from Montreal. The plane, operated by Air Canada's regional partner Jazz Aviation, had just landed when it struck a Port Authority ground vehicle on Runway 4.

According to available details, the aircraft involved was a CRJ-900 regional jet operating as Flight AC8646. The collision happened during runway operations shortly after touchdown, setting off a swift emergency response at one of New York's busiest airports.

When Did The Collision Take Place?

Flight tracking data showed that Air Canada Express Flight AC8646 landed at approximately 11:37 pm local time. The impact reportedly occurred moments later, at around 11:38 pm, while the aircraft was still on the runway.

Reports suggested the plane was moving at roughly 24 miles per hour when it hit the vehicle. The timing of the collision, coming just minutes after landing, raised immediate concerns about runway safety and coordination during ground movements.

Why Was LaGuardia Airport Temporarily Shut Down?

Following the crash, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a ground stop at LaGuardia Airport, temporarily halting incoming flights. The airport was effectively shut down for a period as emergency crews moved in and authorities secured the runway.

As a result, several arriving flights from across the United States and Canada were diverted to alternate airports or, in some cases, returned to their original departure points. The temporary closure caused immediate disruption to late-night traffic into New York, with operations focused on emergency response and clearing the affected runway area.

Was There Any Damage Or Were There Injuries?

Images from the scene showed visible damage to the nose section of the aircraft, which appeared tilted upward after the collision. The extent of the structural impact was not immediately detailed, but visuals indicated that the front of the plane had taken a significant hit.

Initial reports also suggested that multiple people may have been hurt, including the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft as well as personnel inside the Port Authority rescue and firefighting vehicle. However, officials did not immediately confirm the number of injuries or provide details on their condition.

What Happens Next In The Investigation?

Emergency responders, including firefighters and police, rushed to the scene soon after the incident was reported. Authorities kept the airport closed temporarily to support rescue operations and allow investigators access to the runway.

US officials have now launched an investigation into the collision to determine how the Air Canada Express jet came into contact with the ground vehicle after landing. The probe is expected to focus on runway activity, communication procedures, and the sequence of movements involving both the aircraft and the emergency vehicle in the moments leading up to the crash.