Early reports from emergency responders indicate multiple injuries, with some patients described as being in critical condition,Unverified footage on social media showed damage to the nose of the plane
New York:The pilot and the co-pilot were killed as an Air Canada Express plane flying from Montreal collided with a ground vehicle upon landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Xinhua reported, citing local media.
Unconfirmed reports, citing the New York Fire Department, indicate that at least five firefighters have been seriously injured, while more than 100 passengers on board the aircraft are also reported to have sustained injuries.
Audio recordings circulating online, along with preliminary visual reconstructions, suggest that air traffic control had repeatedly instructed both the flight crew and the ground vehicle to halt moments before the impact occurred.
Emergency response teams, including Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) units, remain deployed at the site.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a ground stop on all incoming and outgoing flights at the airport to facilitate emergency operations and begin an investigation into the cause of the collision.
The FAA announcement indicated that the airport’s closure was due to an emergency, and there was a significant chance of a prolonged shutdown, though no specific information was provided. In a different advisory to pilots, the FAA stated that the airport might remain closed until 18:00 GMT.
Nevertheless, officials have not yet disclosed information regarding any injuries or the level of damage involved.
An Air Canada Express plane, Bombardier CRJ-900 (Flight AC8646), arriving from Montreal, collided Sunday with a ground vehicle upon landing at New York’s La Guardia Airport, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.
Early reports from emergency responders indicate multiple injuries, with some patients described as being in critical condition,
Videos from the scene show passengers being evacuated onto the tarmac and the aircraft sustained visible damage, including reports of the nose being lifted during the deplaning process.
Unverified footage on social media showed damage to the nose of the plane. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for all planes at the airport until 12:30 a.m. EST, according to a notice from the regulator.
The FAA notice showed that the reason for the halt at the airport was an emergency and there was a high probability of an extension, without specifying any details.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) has been placed under a ground stop today, Monday, March 23, 2026, following a serious collision between an aircraft and a ground vehicle.
Air Canada, the FAA and New York Fire Department did not immediately respond to request for comment.