An Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collided with a vehicle on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Monday, prompting a ground stop and emergency response.
The flight, arriving from Montreal, struck a Port Authority fire truck while landing on runway 4. Emergency personnel attended the scene as the airport experienced flight disruptions and closures.
The CRJ-900 aircraft, which seats approximately 76 passengers, was traveling at about 130 miles per hour just before it struck a Port Authority fire truck on runway 4.
The collision was captured on video and recorded in air traffic control audio, showing the moments leading up to the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop at LaGuardia Airport due to an “aircraft emergency,” while the New York City Fire Department responded to the scene around 11:38 p.m.
Emergency personnel surrounded the aircraft and worked to secure the area following the collision.
Air traffic control communications reveal that a controller initially granted an operations truck permission to cross the runway.
Seconds later, the controller urgently instructed the truck to stop, before confirming the collision had occurred.
In the recording, the controller told the flight to hold position while emergency vehicles responded.
Videos circulating on social media showed the CRJ-900’s cockpit appearing damaged, with multiple emergency vehicles on the runway.
A CNN reporter at the scene around 2 a.m. noted that the runway remained filled with emergency personnel, managing the situation and assessing potential risks.
Flight tracking data indicate that Air Canada flight 8646 departed Montreal shortly after 10:30 p.m. ET and landed at LaGuardia roughly an hour later.
The aircraft approached the airport from the south and was on final approach to runway 4 when the collision occurred.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that it had received notification of the incident, though further details were not immediately available.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision, including coordination between air traffic control, ground operations, and the vehicle involved.
LaGuardia Airport had earlier issued warnings about flight disruptions due to weather conditions, including light rain and fog in the area.
The FAA has indicated that the airport will remain closed until 2 p.m. Monday to allow for emergency response and runway inspections.
The incident highlights the risks involved in airport ground operations, where the coordination of vehicles and aircraft must be tightly managed to prevent collisions.
While the number of passengers on board the flight has not been specified, emergency responders prioritized ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.
Air Canada flight 8646, operated by Jazz, is part of the airline’s regional network, connecting Canadian cities with major U.S. airports.
The CRJ-900 is manufactured by Mitsubishi and serves as a regional jet with seating for around 76 passengers.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees LaGuardia Airport operations, along with the FAA, are expected to provide further information as investigations proceed.
The collision comes amid heightened operational challenges at the airport due to weather-related flight delays and closures.
Authorities are expected to review safety protocols for ground vehicle operations on active runways, with a focus on preventing future incidents.
The coordination between emergency responders, air traffic control, and airline personnel will be central to ensuring that both passengers and crew remain safe during such events.
The FAA has emphasized that flight disruptions will continue while emergency and safety assessments are carried out, including runway inspections to confirm the aircraft and the area are secure for operations.
The investigation will determine the causes of the collision and identify measures needed to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring that LaGuardia Airport resumes normal operations safely and efficiently.