Tragedy at LaGuardia: Plane Crashes into Truck, Killing Two Pilots

An air tragedy shocked New York early Monday morning. Jazz Aviation flight 8646, operated on behalf of Air Canada Express, was a CRJ-900 that had departed from Montreal with 72 passengers and 4 crew members on board. The accident occurred on runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport at 11:47 PM local time. Flightradar24 reported that at the moment of impact, the plane was traveling at approximately 39 km/h on the runway—and the fire truck was crossing the runway to attend to another incident. The result was devastating for the cockpit: the pilot and co-pilot were rescued with serious injuries, but did not survive and died after receiving medical attention. Air traffic control audio, obtained by LiveATC.net, captures the controller authorizing the truck to cross the runway—and seconds later ordering the vehicle to stop in a panic, but it was too late.

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In total, 41 people, including passengers and crew, were taken to hospitals in the region. Of these, 32 have already been discharged and 9 remain hospitalized. The two firefighters who were in the truck were hospitalized but remain in stable condition.

The NTSB sent an investigation team to the site, which should present a preliminary report within 30 days. LaGuardia Airport is expected to remain closed until 2 PM this Monday, according to the FAA — with a strong impact on connections from the American East Coast.

The accident occurs at a time of chaos in American airports: the political impasse in Congress has left TSA agents working without pay, and the Department of Homeland Security is operating with a contingent budget — a context that experts have already pointed to as a systemic operational risk.

LaGuardia plane crash, New York 2026, Air Canada Express collision, fire truck, pilots killed, LaGuardia airport, NTSB investigation, flight 8646, LaGuardia airport closed March 2026

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