Horrifying new video captures the moment an Air Canada plane collided with a fire truck at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, killing both pilots, injuring dozens of passengers and causing travel chaos.
Footage shows the Air Canada Express plane slamming into a Port Authority fire truck on the runway, where the emergency vehicle was responding to an issue on another plane late Sunday night.
The jet involved in the crash landed in New York from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members onboard.
"Stop, stop, stop!" an air traffic dispatcher can be heard saying on control tower audio from the incident. A voice later adds: "I messed up."
About 40 passengers and crew members were taken to nearby hospitals, some with serious injuries. Most had been released Monday morning, authorities said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday that the deadly collision served as a reminder to “wear your seatbelts.”
LaGuardia reopened one runway at 2 p.m. Eastern on Monday, though the runway with the crash site is expected to be closed for days.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are at work at the crash scene and have recovered the jet’s onboard data recorders.
The crash caused delays at LaGuardia, further exacerbating ongoing slow wait times at U.S. airports. The U.S. air transit system is struggling due to the partial government shutdown and a shortage of TSA agents.
Key Points
- Air Canada plane collides with fire truck on LaGuardia Airport runway
- Horror moment plane hits fire truck at LaGuardia airport killing both pilots
- Collision was first incident resulting in death at LaGuardia Airport in over 30 years
- One of the pilots killed identified by family
- What is the state of air traffic control in the US?
Recap: Air Canada passenger plane in deadly collision with fire struck at LaGuardia Airport
Monday 23 March 2026 10:48 , Joe SommerladIf you’re just joining us, here’s everything you need to know:
- An Air Canada passenger plane from Montreal with 76 people on board collided with a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, New York, Sunday night
- The pilot and co-pilot of the plane, arriving from Montreal, were killed
- 41 passengers were taken to hospital. Most had been released by Monday morning, authorities said
- LaGuardia remained closed until 2 p.m. ET Monday as more than 500 flights were cancelled
LaGuardia crash came less than a week after near-collision at Newark Airport
04:00 , Josh MarcusPrior to Sunday’s crash at LaGuardia, there was another concerning safety incident at a New York-area airport.
A commercial airliner and a cargo plane came perilously close to colliding on intersecting runways at Newark Liberty International Airport during an aborted landing last Tuesday.
The close call involved an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 that flew over a FedEx Boeing 777 at the busy New York City-area airport. The two planes were reportedly about 300 feet apart.
According to the FAA, an air traffic controller instructed Alaska Airlines Flight 294, arriving from Portland, Oregon, to perform a “go around” – meaning to discontinue its landing approach and circle for a new attempt.
More details below.
Pilots warned of risky conditions at LaGuardia in years before crash: report
03:40 , Josh MarcusPilots flying into LaGuardia were reportedly concerned about poor communication and a fast pace of operations at the airport in the years leading up to Sunday’s fatal crash.
“The pace of operations is building in LGA. The controllers are pushing the line,” the pilot said in a report to NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System, obtained by CNN. “On thunderstorm days, LGA is starting to feel like DCA did before the accident there.”
The comment was a reference to a catastrophic collision last year between a military helicopter and a commercial jet near a Washington-area airport that killed 67 people.
In 2024, another report in the database described two planes nearly colliding on the ground at LaGuardia, allegedly because of inaccurate instructions from the airport’s air traffic controllers.
The claims paint a further picture of dysfunction at the busy New York hub, where two Delta jets collided on the runway last year.
Delta flights in collision at LaGuardia airport in New York with wing partly torn off
PHOTOS: Secretary of Transportation visits LaGuardia as crash investigation continues
03:20 , Josh MarcusTrump administration Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy visited LaGuardia International Airport on Monday, where he inspected the crash site with NTSB investigators and spoke alongside New York officials including Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“I am praying for the victims and all those impacted by the tragic crash of Air Canada Express 8646 at LaGuardia Airport,” he wrote on X.
Passenger describes 'eerie' scene after LaGuardia crash
02:55 , Josh Marcus
Rebecca Liquori, a nurse based in Baldwin, New York, was one of the survivors of Sunday’s crash at LaGuardia.
Speaking with CNN on Monday night, she described the Air Canada flight from Montreal arriving in New York with a harsh landing.
“We had a very rough landing,” she said. “It almost felt like the plane jolted, and after that you hear the pilot try to brake, and it was like a grinding noise. And then after that it was a huge boom and we all jolted out of our seats. It was an eerie couple of seconds and then we realized, okay, the flight crew is not able to give us guidance.”
Liquori said emergency slides did not deploy and she had to jump off the wing of the plane with help from first responders.
“I'm just grateful to be alive,” Liquori, who was in Canada to visit a friend’s new baby, added. “I'm grateful that I was able to go home and kiss my sons, be able to hug them, because when I was on the plane, I didn't think that I was ever going to get that opportunity again.”
FAA probing if air traffic control was distracted by other plane's problem: report
02:30 , Josh MarcusThe Federal Aviation Administration is reportedly investigating whether the air traffic control tower at LaGuardia was stretched thin by addressing a different plane’s problem during Sunday’s runway crash.
At the time of the crash, two controllers were in the tower, The New York Times reports.
One controller was speaking with a fire truck on its way to assist a United Airlines jet, which had reported a foul odor that was sickening flight attendants.
The truck was given the go-ahead to cross the runway, where it collided with an incoming Air Canada plane.
Staffing was lighter than normal in the tower at the time of the crash, given that there are typically less flights late at night, two unnamed sources told the paper.
Gavin Newsom trolls Trump over state of U.S. airports
02:10 , Josh MarcusCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom mocked President Trump on Monday over the ongoing chaos at U.S. airports by resurfacing a 2016 tweet from the Republican.
“While our wonderful president was out playing golf all day, the TSA is falling apart, just like our government!” Trump wrote in 2016, referring to President Barack Obama. “Airports a total disaster!”
“100% agree,” Newsom wrote on X on Monday, in the wake of the LaGuardia crash and ongoing delays and staffing shortages at U.S. airports.
100% agree. https://t.co/4oaLjQ7zWQ
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) March 23, 2026
PHOTOS: NYC mayor visits response to LaGuardia crash
01:50 , Josh MarcusSunday’s crash at LaGuardia marks one of the first major emergencies in New York City since the recent election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani
He joined officials including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul today at the airport to visit with investigators responding to the incident.
Former transportation official slams communication around LaGuardia crash
01:30 , Josh MarcusAirport officials appeared to suffer a major breakdown in communications in the lead-up to Sunday’s runway crash at LaGuardia, which occurred when an incoming jet struck a fire truck on the tarmac.
“Once that aircraft was cleared to land … it owned that runway,” Mary Schiavo, a former inspector general of the Department of Transportation, told The New York Post.
Audio captures an air traffic official clearing the truck’s route, only to unsuccessfully try to take back the confirmation moments later.
“Who gave the final clearance for that fire truck across the runway?” Schiavo added. “It should have been the tower, but clearly … someone made a very critical mistake in allowing a fire truck clearance to cross the runway when an aircraft had been given a landing clearance. That’s my take on it.”
Earlier today, Rhian Lubin had this timeline of the crash.
Timeline spells out what went wrong and led to deadly LaGuardia plane crash
WATCH: How airport delays impacted NTSB response to LaGuardia crash
01:10 , Josh MarcusAirline workers were under 'tremendous stress' before LaGuardia crash: NY governor
00:30 , Josh MarcusIn the wake of Sunday’s crash at LaGuardia, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted the intense conditions airport workers have faced in recent weeks, given the ongoing government shutdown and a related shortage of airport staff.
“Let’s acknowledge the tremendous stress, particularly in recent days, that our airline workers are under,” Hochul said on Monday. “And, as we come through here, know that this is an ecosystem which is not self-sustaining. There are countless individuals who step up every day, willing to do the hard work to make sure we’re safe.”
Investigators are still determining whether staffing issues impacted Sunday’s crash.
Alex Woodward has more information on the state U.S. airports.
ICE agents seen at multiple airports on Monday morning after Trump threat
Passengers on LaGuardia flight describe chaotic crash scene
00:10 , Josh MarcusAfter Sunday’s flight went down, a series of events left many passengers to find their own way out of the wreck.
The plane’s emergency slides did not activate after the crash, and some of the Air Canada flight’s crew was incapacitated.
“The flight attendant that was in the front, she got ejected from the plane,” passenger Rebecca Liquori, 35, told The New York Times. “So we really did not have direction.”
Flight attendant Solange Tremblay was ejected more than 100 meters from the plane but survived, Canada’s TVA Nouvelles reports.
“It’s a complete miracle,” her daughter Sarah Lépine told the outlet, originally in French. “At the moment of impact, her seat was ejected more than a hundred meters from the plane. They found her and she was still strapped into her seat. She had a guardian angel watching over her. It could have been much worse.”
Air traffic controllers union 'deeply saddened' by LaGuardia accident
Monday 23 March 2026 23:50 , Josh MarcusThe National Air Traffic Controllers Association is mourning those impacted by Sunday’s runway crash at LaGuardia.
The organization said in a statement on Monday it was “deeply saddened” by the collision between an Air Canada jet and an emergency vehicle.
“Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected during this incredibly difficult time,” the group wrote. “We extend our sincere condolences and stand in support of the entire aviation community including our brothers and sisters with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Canadian Flight Attendant Union (CFAU: SABC) who have been affected by this tragedy.”
“As party to the investigation being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), NATCA will not offer comment,” the group added. “Our union will wait for the NTSB to complete its work and use that information to help guide decisions and changes to enhance and improve aviation safety.”
Analysis: How Trump's SAVE Act push is causing airport chaos
Monday 23 March 2026 23:42 , Josh MarcusPresident Donald Trump might have once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for Senate Republicans when it comes to winning the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
As the crash at LaGuardia International Airport that killed two Air Canada pilots caused further flight delays in the New York metro region Monday, Trump proceeded to escalate the showdown in two ways: First, he announced that he would send ICE agents to airports to full in for unpaid TSA agents who have been calling out sick in droves. Initially, Republicans seemed gleeful at the slap at Democrats.
“I think it’s justice,” Texas Sen. John Cornyn told The Independent. “Democrats don’t like ICE. So they got more ICE.”
Cornyn is facing a bruising primary against Attorney General Ken Paxton. He needs Trump’s endorsement for the win. Many Republicans just hope and pray that Trump will endorse Cornyn so the GOP does not have to spend millions to prop Paxton and all his baggage up against Democratic primary winner James Talarico.
Eric Garcia has the story.
Airport chaos will get worse as Trump keeps Senate laser-focused on SAVE AMERICA Act
More updates expected tomorrow on LaGuardia crash as NTSB sifts through 'tremendous' debris field
Monday 23 March 2026 23:15 , Josh Marcus
Federal investigators have conducted a walking inspection of the LaGuardia crash site, but officials offered few concrete updates about what caused Sunday’s late-night crash between an incoming Air Canada jet and a runway fire truck.
“There is a tremendous, tremendous amount of debris,” National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters on Monday.
The official said that investigators are still in the info-gathering stage and would wait until they could cross-reference data before sharing more with the public.
“We have a lot of data right now, a lot of information right now, including information on tower staffing,” she said. “But the NTSB deals in facts. We don’t speculate. We don’t take one person at their word. We verify that information carefully before we provide it, so that is something that we still have to do.”
The data-gathering process on Monday included investigators cutting a hole in the crashed jet to access onboard flight data recorders, which have since been driven to the agency’s labs in Washington, D.C.
Agency staffers continue to inspect the site, and will take detailed photographs of the debris-strewn runway before collecting the scattered materials for analysis.
Homendy declined to comment specifically on what was being done with the air traffic controllers on shift during the crash, but said they would be typically removed from duty and interviewed at a suitable time.
“Certainly it’s pretty traumatic for that air traffic controller as well,” she said.
“It’s going to be days” before the runway where the crash took place reopens, Homendy said.
Delays at U.S. airports impacted NTSB response to LaGuardia crash
Monday 23 March 2026 22:59 , Josh Marcus
A shortage of TSA officers and wider issues with delays at U.S. airports because of the ongoing partial government shutdown slowed the ability of the National Transportation Safety Board to respond to the LaGuardia crash scene, according to officials.
Investigators began arriving at the New York City airport around 3:10 a.m. on Monday morning, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters, but the delays kept others from arriving quickly.
“It’s been a really big challenge to get the entire team here, and they’re still arriving as we speak,” Homendy said.
One staffer was delayed hours at the Houston airport, she said.
Investigators are slated to continue arriving into New York through about 1 a.m. on Tuesday.
Video captures moment of LaGuardia runway collision
Monday 23 March 2026 22:50 , Josh MarcusFootage shows the moment an Air Canada plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Sunday.
The commercial jet struck the Port Authority fire truck on the runway, where it was attending to another issue on a different plane which had “requested support.”
The pilot and copilot were killed, while about 40 passengers and crew members were taken to nearby hospitals, some with serious injuries.
A flight attendant was found alive on the ground by rescuers, still strapped to her seat which had fallen through a hole in the floor of the plane. Her injuries are reportedly not life threatening.
Horror moment plane hits fire truck at LaGuardia airport killing both pilots
NTSB provides updates on LaGuardia crash
Monday 23 March 2026 22:41 , Josh MarcusFederal transit investigators are updating the public about the LaGuardia crash.
You can see the remarks live here.
What we know about the victims of the LaGuardia crash
Monday 23 March 2026 22:27 , Josh MarcusTwo pilots, including 30-year-old Antoine Forest, were killed and 41 people were injured late Sunday night when an Air Canada Express flight collided with a Port Authority fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
The Bombardier CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, was arriving from Montreal with 76 passengers and crew when it struck the emergency vehicle on Runway 4 at approximately 11:40 p.m. The truck had been cleared to cross the active runway while responding to a separate incident involving a United Airlines flight.
While federal authorities have not yet released the names of the flight crew, family members have begun identifying the victims. Both the pilot and co-pilot were based in Canada, according to Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are conducting a joint investigation into the collision. The airport officially reopened at 2 p.m., though officials cautioned that only one of its two runways is currently operational.
Jasmine Fernández has the story.
Air Canada pilot killed in LaGuardia crash had been flying since 16, family say
Average delays into LaGuardia approach 3 hours
Monday 23 March 2026 22:10 , Josh MarcusTravelers heading into New York City’s LaGuardia airport continue to face heavy delays, after a plane crashed on the runway there late Sunday night.
At the present, the average delay for flights into LGA was about 171 minutes, according to U.S. transit officials.
LaGuardia crash comes at sensitive time for U.S. air travel
Monday 23 March 2026 21:55 , Josh MarcusSunday’s late-night crash at LaGuardia comes at a time of considerable strain on the U.S. air travel system.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the airport-focused Transportation Security Administration, has gone without funding for weeks amid an ongoing partial government shutdown.
The U.S. war with Iran has added further travel safety concerns.
And the crash comes after a series of high-profile air accidents in the U.S., including a lethal 2025 collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet at a busy Washington-area airport that killed 67 people.
ICE agents seen at multiple airports on Monday morning after Trump threat
Port Authority IDs individuals in truck that collided with plane
Monday 23 March 2026 21:35 , Josh MarcusTwo people who were in a fire truck that collided with an incoming Air Canada jet at LaGuardia on Sunday have been identified.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees New York City-area airports, named the individuals as Sgt. Michael Orsillo and Officer Adrian Baez.
"Both were taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital," Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said during a press conference on Monday. "We expect one to be released later this afternoon, and the other to be kept overnight for observation."
‘Hero’ pilots died saving passengers, survivor of LaGuardia crash says
Monday 23 March 2026 21:19 , Josh Marcus“I wish I could tell their families how thankful I am. They are heroes.”
That’s how one survivor of last night’s runway crash at LaGuardia is processing the collision, which killed both pilots and injured scores of passengers.
Shweta Sharma, Paul Farrell, and Jasmine Fernández have the latest details on the incident.
‘Hero’ pilots died saving their passengers in Air Canada flight crash, survivor says
PHOTOS: Investigators and government officials respond to scene of LaGuardia crash
Monday 23 March 2026 21:05 , Josh Marcus
Transportation Secretary says he has asked Congress for more money for air traffic control
Monday 23 March 2026 20:45 , Isabel KeaneMuch-needed modernizations for air traffic control systems can’t happen without more money from Congress, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said during a Monday news briefing.
“We’ve been modernizing our system, but we can’t fully modernize it until Congress gives us the additional money,” he said.
“It’s not a partisan issue, both Democrats and Republicans agree, but they have to have the will to finish the funding,” he continued.
Duffy added: "I’m not saying the crash would have been prevented if we had all the equipment deployed, but it’s important if we care about air travel safety, we care about having a brand new air traffic control system, the best in the world, with the best equipment virtually all of it developed here in America."
LaGuardia Airport runway 4 will be closed until Friday morning
Monday 23 March 2026 20:19 , Isabel KeaneRunway 4 at LaGuardia Airport will be closed until 7 a.m. Friday, following the deadly collision between an Air Canada plane and a fire truck, the FAA said.
LaGuardia was closed through much of Monday, but reopened a single runway around 2 p.m.
One of the pilots killed identified by family
Monday 23 March 2026 20:08 , Isabel KeaneOne of the two pilots killed in the crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Antoine Forest.
Forest’s family confirmed his death to the Toronto Star on Monday.
The pilot was originally from Coteau-du-Lac, a small city in southwestern Quebec, Canada. He first started flying planes when he was just 16, his great aunt, Jeannette Gagnier, told the Star.
Forest, a first officer at Air Canada Express, had been co-piloting the plane that crashed on Sunday. He and his co-pilot, who has not been publicly identified, were declared dead while several passengers were injured.
“It’s a very bad day for me,” Gagnier, who acted as a grandmother to Forest, told the newspaper.
Forest’s LinkedIn page lists him as a first officer for Jazz Aviation since December 2022.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says LaGuardia is a 'very well-staffed airport'
Monday 23 March 2026 19:59 , Isabel KeaneTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that LaGuardia Airport “is a very well-staffed airport.”
Duffy said they have 37 air traffic controller positions, 33 of which are currently staffed. Seven more controllers are going through training, he said.
Collision was first incident resulting in death at LaGuardia Airport in over 30 years
Monday 23 March 2026 19:53 , Isabel KeaneThe collision involving an Air Canada plane and a Port Authority fire truck was the first incident resulting in death at LaGuardia Airport in over 30 years, officials said during a Monday press briefing.
Kathryn Garcia, the head of the Port Authority, which operates all major New York area airports, said it’s been 34 years since there has been an incident resulting in death at the airport.
“This could have been an even broader tragedy if everyone had not responded as quickly as effectively as they did,” Garcia said.
FAA Administrator says agency will 'take concrete actions' to prevent future tragedies
Monday 23 March 2026 19:47 , Isabel KeaneBryan Bedford, the FAA administrator, said the agency would “take concrete actions to ensure something like this will never happen again.”
Bedford noted the weather conditions at LaGuardia late Sunday night included moderate winds and visibility was roughly four miles even though it was raining.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says LGA will have reduced capacity 'for some time'
Monday 23 March 2026 19:44 , Isabel KeaneLaGuardia Airport will have a reduced capacity “for some time,” following Sunday evening’s deadly collision between an Air Canada flight and a fire truck on the runway, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
Duffy said he was at the crash site earlier and that it was a reminder for people to “wear your seat belt.” There has been no evidence that anyone on board was not wearing their seatbelt.
Officials also mourned the loss of the two pilots who were killed in the collision, who FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford described as “two young men at the start of their careers.”
NTSB investigators at the scene of LGA crash
Monday 23 March 2026 19:28 , Isabel KeaneNTSB investigators walk the scene of the Mar. 22 collision between an Air Canada Express plane and a firefighting vehicle on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport. pic.twitter.com/lLuC5YCAzv
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) March 23, 2026
Air Canada president and CEO releases video statement
Monday 23 March 2026 19:16 , Isabel KeaneAir Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau provides a video statement on the tragic accident involving Air Canada Express AC8646: pic.twitter.com/ZwFibpOkj2
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) March 23, 2026
First flight to depart LaGuardia Airport post crash takes off just after 2 p.m.
Monday 23 March 2026 19:13 , Isabel KeaneThe first flight to take off after the airport reopened Monday afternoon was a Delta flight to Atlanta.
The flight took off at 2:08 p.m.
Flight delays and cancellations are expected as operations begin to resume.
Horror moment plane hits fire truck at LaGuardia airport killing both pilots
Monday 23 March 2026 18:45 , Isabel KeaneTransportation Secretary and FAA administrator to hold news conference on deadly collision
Monday 23 March 2026 18:25 , Isabel KeaneTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford will hold a news conference Monday afternoon at LaGuardia Airport, the Department of Transportation announced.
The briefing has been set for 3.15 p.m. Eastern time.
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer will watch investigation into collision 'like a hawk'
Monday 23 March 2026 17:47 , Isabel KeaneNew York Sen. Chuck Schumer on Monday called for an investigation into the deadly crash that killed two pilots at LaGuardia Airport Sunday night.
Schumer said he had spoken with NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy and had been assured investigators were headed to the scene of the crash.
"Two pilots lost their lives and dozens of New Yorkers were injured, and we owe it to them and their families to find out exactly how this happened," Schumer wrote on X. "I will be watching like a hawk to make sure the NTSB and local authorities get to the bottom of this."
LaGuardia Airport to open single runway at 2 p.m.
Monday 23 March 2026 17:36 , Isabel KeaneThe Federal Aviation Administration said it expects to open a single runway around 2 p.m. Monday following last night’s crash.
No further details were immediately available.
What is the state of air traffic control in the US?
Monday 23 March 2026 17:30 , Simon CalderChronically understaffed and overstretched, according to Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca).
Last year, he told the House Subcommittee on Aviation: “These dedicated professionals continue to work short-staffed, often six days a week, ten hours a day for years at a time, using outdated equipment and in rundown facilities that are in many cases more than 60 years old and are long overdue to be modernised and/or replaced.”
Mr Daniels was giving evidence after the collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet on final approach to Washington Reagan airport In January 2025. All 67 people in the two aircraft died.
On the night of the crash, two air traffic controllers were handling the jobs of four. The subsequent National Transportation Safety Board report highlighted shortcomings in air traffic control:
- Local controller ”a little overwhelmed” about 10-15 minutes before accident
- Traffic volume increased about 90 seconds before accident
- Controller shifting focus between airborne, ground, and transiting aircraft
- Combined positions increased controller workload, reduced situation awareness
Dorothy Robyn, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, says: “From 2013 to 2023, the FAA hired only about two-thirds of the controllers called for by its staffing model.”
Many FAA air traffic control facilities remain chronically understaffed.”Early in 2025, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency was accused of decimating jobs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
But the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said: “No air traffic controllers nor any professionals who perform safety critical functions were terminated.”
Read our travel correspondent Simon Calder's report in full here:
New York City Mayor to attend LGA crash briefing
Monday 23 March 2026 17:06 , Isabel KeaneNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will head to LaGuardia Airport Monday afternoon for a briefing on the Air Canada plane crash, his public schedule shows.
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia will also be in attendance.
Transportation Secretary and FAA Administrator heading to LaGuardia Airport
Monday 23 March 2026 16:23 , Isabel KeaneTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford were heading to LaGuardia Airport Monday afternoon.
“I’m headed to @LGAairport to join @SecDuffy in the wake of last night’s collision,” Bedford wrote on X.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy, their families and loved ones. We’ll continue to support @NTSB as they lead the investigation.”
Canadian Transport Minister says safety isn't compromised despite air traffic controller shortages
Monday 23 March 2026 16:19 , Isabel KeaneTransport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Canadians were safe to travel, despite staffing shortages impacting air traffic controllers.
"Canadians can be very, very reassured that we have a very, very safe transport network in our country," he told Radio-Canada.
"We have the most rigorous standards in the world and we are maintaining them,” he said.
Canadian PM Mark Carney says Canada working with U.S. to investigate 'deeply saddening' collision
Monday 23 March 2026 15:46 , Isabel KeaneCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada was working with the United States to investigate the ground collision at LaGuardia Airport that left two people dead and dozens of others injured.
“The collision involving an Air Canada Express aircraft last night in New York that claimed the lives of the pilot and co-pilot, and injured dozens more, is deeply saddening,” Carney wrote on X.
He added: “Canadian officials are working closely with their U.S. counterparts on the ground as the investigation continues. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those impacted.”
Delta Air Lines warns of further cancellations due to disruptions at LGA
Monday 23 March 2026 15:36 , Isabel KeaneDelta Air Lines warned that the disruptions at LaGuardia Airport, where it is the largest carrier, may lead to further flight cancellations on Monday.
“The FAA has closed LGA through 2 p.m. on March 23. Further changes to Delta’s schedule are possible if the closure extends,” Delta said.
The airline said it would automatically rebook customers affected by the closure.
Delta had canceled 89 of its mainline flights in and out of LaGuardia on Monday, according to FlightAware.
President Donald Trump comments on LaGuardia aircraft collision
Monday 23 March 2026 15:12 , Isabel KeaneIn pictures: Crashed Air Canada plane seen at LaGuardia as airport remains closed Monday
Monday 23 March 2026 14:56 , Isabel Keane
Trump on LGA collision: “They made a mistake. It’s a dangerous business. That’s terrible.”
Monday 23 March 2026 14:37 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump commented on the deadly crash to reporters in Florida Monday morning.
“They made a mistake. It’s a dangerous business. That’s terrible,” Trump said.
Trump officials scramble to explain ICE’s new role in airport security
Monday 23 March 2026 14:30 , Joe SommerladAs the LaGuardia response effort continues, the president has sent his ICE forces to bolster security at the nation’s other major airports following five weeks of partial government shutdown.
On Sunday, members of his cabinet hit the morning shows to talk up the policy.
🚨ICE AGENTS are trained and ready to GO to airports to provide assistance to @TSA while democrats continue to play their political games.@POTUS will do what it takes to keep AMERICAN FAMILIES FIRST 🇺🇸✈️ pic.twitter.com/vG2qDYqZsC
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 22, 2026
John Bowden has this report on their messaging pitch.
Trump officials try to explain ICE’s role in airport security as TSA lines grow
Flight attendant found outside crashed aircraft still strapped to her jumpseat
Monday 23 March 2026 14:30 , Isabel KeaneA flight attendant was found outside the crashed Air Canada flight still strapped into her jumpseat, sources told NBC News.
It was not immediately clear whether the flight attendant was found with injuries.
Full story: LaGuardia Airport closed until Monday afternoon after fatal Air Canada crash
Monday 23 March 2026 14:10 , Joe SommerladIf you’re just joining us, here’s another chance to see our report on the tragic news from New York overnight, as a pilot and their co-pilot were killed in a collision with a fire truck at LaGuardia after completing a routine 90-minute journey to the Queens airport from Montreal.
Shweta Sharma and Paul Farrell have it.
LaGuardia Airport closed until Monday afternoon after fatal Air Canada crash
Zohran Mamdani praises first responders ‘whose swift actions saved lives’
Monday 23 March 2026 13:50 , Joe SommerladWe heard earlier from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and New York Governor Kathy Houchul.
Now New York City’s mayor and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have paid their respects.
I have been briefed on the tragic collision that took place at LaGuardia Airport late last night.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) March 23, 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, and the City is in close contact with federal, state, and local partners. I am grateful to our first…
My thoughts are with the victims and the families affected by the terrible crash at LaGuardia Airport, and I am hoping for the full and swift recovery of those who were injured. We will continue to work closely with the Port Authority to help ensure the safety of all who travel…
— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) March 23, 2026
Runway incursion incidents actually down year-on-year
Monday 23 March 2026 13:30 , Joe SommerladAccording to the FAA, there were 97 runway incursions in January this year, compared to 133 incidents during the same period last year.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives last month proposed legislation to address 50 aviation safety recommendations issued after a year-long investigation into the January 2025 collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people.
Last year also saw a UPS cargo plane crash shortly after takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, killing seven and injuring 11 on the ground.
Flight found strapped to her seat outside plane, according to report
Monday 23 March 2026 13:25 , Joe SommerladNBC News is reporting that a flight attendant was found still strapped to her jumpseat outside of the plane in the aftermath of last night’s incident by Port Authority Police, citing two sources.
One of the network’s sources said it appears the plane’s engines were off when the first responders arrived, which meant it was safe for them to open the rear exit and escort passengers to safety.
The two sources said the plane collided with the middle of the fire truck – causing the officers to be thrown from their vehicle – but enabling their survival.
We’ll bring you more details as they emerge.
Crash ‘likely a question of fatigue,’ says ex-NTSB managing director
Monday 23 March 2026 13:10 , Joe SommerladSpeaking to CNN’s This Morning with Audie Cornish, Peter Goelz said exhaustion was likely to have played a part in the tragedy.
“The NTSB will be arriving this morning. Chairman [Jennifer] Homendy is going to lead the team. She is an experienced investigator. She’s been at the NTSB. She knows what she’s doing.
“This is going to be a very important accident today because it underscores two of the most pressing aviation problems that the country is facing. One is, there continues to be a shortage of air traffic controllers. And the tower at LaGuardia, which is staffed by about 30 controllers, is targeted to get 60. And now they’re not there. So, the controllers who are working are working long hours, they’re getting overtime. There is likely a question of fatigue.
“Secondly, when you – the fire truck that was on the ground has a transponder. I listened to the audiotape very carefully. And there was a lot going on at the airport at that time. And as you could tell just from the portions we heard, the conversations were clipped and quick.
“The truck asked for permission to clear, cross runway four. The read back was that they saw them at Runway 4. I never heard the word ‘confirmed to cross,’ but it was apparent that the fire truck felt that they had the approval to go across. This is going to be a very tough accident.”
Air Canada says it is 'deeply saddened' as FAA and NTSB announce investigation
Monday 23 March 2026 12:55 , Joe SommerladHere are the latest statements from Air Canada, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board on last night’s tragedy:
Our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of the Jazz crew of Air Canada Express flight AC8646 on March 22.
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) March 23, 2026
Read full statement: https://t.co/etMYrF6W6o
FAA Statement
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) March 23, 2026
Air Canada Express Flight 8646 struck an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle after landing on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in New York. The accident occurred around 11:40 p.m. local time on Sunday, March 22. The CRJ-900 was arriving from Montreal. The FAA and…
The NTSB is launching a go team to investigate the March 22 Jazz Aviation, Air Canada Express Flight 8646, CRJ900, airplane that collided with a fire truck on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in New York NY.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) March 23, 2026
Chair Jennifer Homendy will serve as the on-scene spokesperson,…
Transportation secretary, New York governor offer prayers for families impacted by LaGuardia collision
Monday 23 March 2026 12:40 , Joe SommerladHere are Sean Duffy and Kathy Hochul on last night’s disaster:
Our prayers this morning are with the families impacted by the ground collision at LaGuardia. The @FAANews is deploying a team to the site to support the @NTSB’s investigation.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 23, 2026
Here’s the information I can share are this time:
-Last night, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900… https://t.co/YtDsNIu2uS
Heartbreaking news out of LaGuardia this morning.⁰⁰Two pilots were killed and dozens injured in this tragedy. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected.⁰⁰The airport will remain closed until 2:00 PM. We’ll continue to share updates as they…
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) March 23, 2026
In pictures: Damaged fire truck seen as day dawns on emergency response effort
Monday 23 March 2026 12:25 , Joe Sommerlad
Live: Emergency responders on scene at LaGuardia after Air Canada plane collision
Monday 23 March 2026 12:10 , Joe SommerladHundreds of flights cancelled with tens of thousands of travellers disrupted
Monday 23 March 2026 11:55 , Simon CalderImmediately after the collision, multiple aircraft returned to their starting points, including Air Canada from Toronto, Spirit from Chicago and Fort Lauderdale, Frontier from Atlanta and American Eagle from Washington Reagan.
Thirteen other planes diverted to nearby airports: eight to New York JFK, two to Newark, and one each to Baltimore Washington, Washington Dulles and Detroit.
Two aircraft waiting to take off – Frontier to Miami and Republic to Houston – returned to their gates and offloaded passengers.
Operations normally resume at 6 a.m. ET at LaGuardia, with a bank of departures scheduled across the U.S. and eastern Canada.
Data from the airport and FlightRadar24 analysed by The Independent indicates that around 500 flights have so far been grounded – with tens of thousands of passengers disrupted.
Dozens more flights are shown as severely delayed, with some American Airlines departures rescheduled for as late as 8 p.m ET.
Both JFK and Newark airports run close to capacity. There will be little opportunity for airlines to switch to either airport – or for passengers to find seats on flights to or from those hubs.
Air passengers’ rights rules within the U.S. do not require airlines to provide alternative transport or accommodation in the event of disruption if the cause is beyond their control.
Passengers to and from Canada have some additional rights. The Canadian Transportation Agency says: “In situations outside its control, the airline operating the flight must ensure that the passengers complete their journey.”
Transatlantic flights do not use LaGuardia because it has no international passenger processing facilities. Travellers arriving from Canada have been pre-cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
ICE agents descend on US airports after Trump threatened to deploy them
Monday 23 March 2026 11:40 , Joe SommerladLast night’s tragedy comes as President Donald Trump’s administration deploys ICE agents to the nation’s major airports to address staff shortages caused by a partial government shutdown that has run on for five weeks.
Trump, in characteristic fashion, said the agents would provide “security like no one has ever seen before” and also carry out “the immediate arrest of all illegal immigrants who have come into our country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia.”
ICE agents have duly been seen at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, and Philadelphia International Airport.
Maira Butt has the latest.
ICE agents seen at multiple airports on Monday morning after Trump threat
Watch: Two confirmed dead in runway collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport
Monday 23 March 2026 11:25 , Joe Sommerlad‘That wasn’t good to watch:’ Air traffic control audio offers insights into deadly collision
Monday 23 March 2026 11:10 , Joe SommerladHere’s a complete transcript of the conversation heard between air traffic controllers during the incident:
“Truck 1 and company, LaGuardia Tower, requesting to cross 4 at Delta.”
“Truck 1 and company, cross 4 at Delta.”
“Truck 1 and company crossing 4 at Delta.”
“Frontier 4195, just stop there please. Stop, stop, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1, stop, stop. Stop, Truck 1, stop.”
“Delta 2603, go around runway, heading 2,000.
“Jazz 646, Jazz 646 I see you collide with a vehicle. Just hold position. I know you can’t move. The vehicles are responding to you now.”
“Is the runway closed?”
“Delta 2603, go around runway heading 2000.”
“Runway heading 2000, go around, Delta 2603.
“LaGuardia Tower.”
“Truck 32, Runway 4 is closed, correct?
“Yeah.”
“Just go on to Runway 4 now. Proceed on Runway 4, you have access…”
“Frontier 4195, I got the word we’re going to be closed for a little while. If you want to return to the ramp let me know.”
“Yeah we got stuff in progress for that man. That wasn’t… That wasn’t good to watch.”
“Yeah I know I was here. I tried to reach out to them. I stopped and we were dealing with an emergency earlier and I messed up…”
“No man, you did the best you could.”
Passengers offer first eyewitness accounts of LaGuardia collision
Monday 23 March 2026 11:00 , Joe Sommerlad“Everybody was flying everywhere,” traveller Jack Cabot tells Fox and Friends this morning.
"Everybody was flying everywhere."
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) March 23, 2026
An Air Canada passenger recounts the terrifying moment of impact after their jet collided with a firetruck at LaGuardia Airport. pic.twitter.com/MkOzGgXreW
A passenger on board Air Canada Express Jazz 646, identified as Brady, has shared a firsthand account of the terrifying moments following the crash, along with photos from the scene as the aircraft remained on the tarmac.
— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) March 23, 2026
Here is his account:
“I was on this flight and we are… https://t.co/uzd9lUZFKp pic.twitter.com/C4R1SqvG3M
More than 500 flights cancelled at LaGuardia today
Monday 23 March 2026 10:30 , Joe SommerladThe temporary closure of one of New York’s busiest airports will add to travel disruption caused by the weeks-long partial government shutdown.
Absences among transportation security workers have soared, leading to lengthy lines for passengers at major U.S. airports.
New York City’s emergency notification system has said people can expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays and emergency personnel near the airport.
About 537 flights had been canceled at the airport so far Monday, according to tracking website FlightAware.
LaGuardia served more than 30 million annual passengers in 2025, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a wide range of U.S. airlines operate at the airport.
NYPD advises people to expect delays and avoid LaGuardia
Monday 23 March 2026 10:15 , Joe SommerladHere’s what the New York Police Department has had to say so far:
Due to an emergency incident at LaGuardia Airport, all streets and highway exits into the airport are closed until further notice. Expect delays and avoid the area if possible. pic.twitter.com/UnZ50X01Hk
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 23, 2026
Watch: Moment vehicle collides with plane caught on air traffic control audio
Monday 23 March 2026 10:00 , Joe SommerladAnalysis: Flight chaos at New York’s LaGuardia airport after pilot and co-pilot killed in Air Canada collision
Monday 23 March 2026 09:45 , Joe SommerladHere’s the latest on the disaster from our travel correspondent Simon Calder and what it means for the tens of thousands of passengers expected at the closed airport today.
What to know about travel chaos at LaGuardia airport after two killed in plane crash
Another plane aborted takeoff over anti-ice warning prior to collision, according to a report
Monday 23 March 2026 09:30 , Joe SommerladThe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said at its press conference just now that the firefighting vehicle involved in the collision was responding to a separate incident when it was struck by the aircraft at the airport’s Runway 4, without offering further specifics.
But, according to CBS News, that incident saw United Airlines Flight 2384 abort its takeoff from LaGuardia when an anti-ice warning light came on.
The pilots on board reportedly noticed an odour in their cabin and its flight attendants said they were feeling ill, prompting the plane to declare an emergency when no gates were immediately available.
Air traffic controllers can be heard in an audio broadcast from LiveATC.net telling the aircraft that fire trucks were available on site.
A second transmission then shows a fire truck was cleared to cross Runway 4, where the collision occurred, at taxiway “Delta.”
Moments later, according to the ATC audio, a controller can be heard saying: “Stop, stop, stop, truck 1 stop, truck, stop.”
Audio from Air Traffic Control when plane collided with fire truck at New York airport:
— BNO News (@BNONews) March 23, 2026
"Stop Truck 1, stop!"
"We were dealing with an emergency earlier and I messed up" pic.twitter.com/7dJcFov4gq
CBS correspondent Kris Van Cleave said the subsequent collision with the Air Canada plane arriving on the same runway from Montreal probably occurred as passengers were getting off at the back of the airliner.
The big question, he said, is what caused the communication breakdown.
Two pilots dead and nine passengers in hospital, Port Authority official says
Monday 23 March 2026 09:15 , Joe SommerladGiving a press conference at LaGuardia just now, Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia confirmed that the two Air Canada pilots were killed in last night’s disaster and 41 of the 72 passengers on board were taken to hospital and nine remain there.
Port Authority working with federal authorities to determine cause of accident
Monday 23 March 2026 09:00 , Joe SommerladHere’s the official statement posted on the LaGuardia Airport X account announcing last night’s tragedy:
At approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada was involved in an incident on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in which the aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate…
— LaGuardia Airport (@LGAairport) March 23, 2026
In pictures: Air Canada flight collides with fire truck on LaGuardia runway
Monday 23 March 2026 08:45 , Joe Sommerlad
More than a dozen passengers injured, according to report
Monday 23 March 2026 08:35 , Joe SommerladThat’s the latest update from NBC, citing an airport source.
We’ll bring you more details as we get them.
Busy New York airport to remain closed until Monday afternoon
Monday 23 March 2026 08:25 , Joe SommerladThe Federal Aviation Administration has said the airport will be closed until at least 2 p.m ET Monday as the emergency services respond at the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Board has meanwhile said it has dispatched a team to investigate the precise cause of the collision.
Pilot and co-pilot killed in accident, two others seriously injured
Monday 23 March 2026 08:15 , Joe SommerladThat’s all the casualty information we have at present, with NBC News reporting the two deaths from the collision.
There is currently a huge emergency services presence on the runway to providing support.
We’ll bring you all the latest as this breaking story develops.
Air Canada plane collides with fire truck on LaGuardia Airport runway
Monday 23 March 2026 08:05 , Joe SommerladIf you’re just joining us, here’s a full report on the disaster from Shweta Sharma.
LaGuardia Airport closed until Monday night after fatal Air Canada crash
Hello and welcome
Monday 23 March 2026 07:56 , Joe SommerladGood morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the collision between a passenger plane and a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, which has left at least two people dead and two seriously injured.
