Air Canada Express Plane Collides with Ground Vehicle at LaGuardia Airport, Multiple Injuries Reported
A major aviation incident unfolded at New York’s LaGuardia Airport when an Air Canada Express aircraft collided with a ground vehicle during landing, leaving multiple people injured and disrupting flight operations at one of the city’s busiest airports.
The accident occurred late Sunday night as the regional jet, arriving from Montreal, was landing on Runway 4. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft — a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation — struck an airport rescue and fire-fighting vehicle while moving along the runway.
Initial reports suggest that several people sustained injuries in the collision, with some believed to be in critical condition. Emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after the incident, launching evacuation and rescue operations.
Visuals circulating on social media showed significant damage to the front section of the aircraft, with the nose appearing crushed and tilted upward. Authorities confirmed that the collision took place around 11:38 pm local time.
The New York Fire Department responded promptly after receiving reports of an incident involving a plane and a vehicle on the runway, although officials have not yet released detailed information about the full extent of injuries.
Following the crash, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed an immediate ground stop at LaGuardia Airport, halting all incoming and outgoing flights. The suspension of operations caused widespread disruption, with several flights either delayed, diverted, or cancelled as emergency teams worked to secure the area.
The incident has also raised concerns about airport safety procedures, particularly regarding runway coordination between aircraft and ground vehicles. Preliminary information indicates that the plane was still in motion after landing when it collided with the vehicle, though the exact sequence of events remains under investigation.
Passengers on board the flight were evacuated as a precaution, and medical teams assessed those affected. While early reports indicate that passengers largely avoided serious injuries, some members of the ground crew and emergency personnel are believed to be among the injured.
Unverified footage from the scene showed debris scattered across the runway, along with emergency vehicles surrounding the damaged aircraft. Authorities have cautioned that such visuals have not yet been independently confirmed.
The cause of the collision remains unclear, and multiple agencies, including aviation regulators and airport authorities, are expected to conduct a detailed investigation. Factors such as visibility, communication between air traffic control and ground staff, and weather conditions may all be examined as part of the probe.
LaGuardia Airport, a key hub serving New York City, faced significant operational challenges in the aftermath of the crash. Officials warned travellers to expect delays, cancellations, and traffic congestion in and around the airport as emergency operations continued.
This incident marks a serious safety event involving a commercial passenger aircraft and highlights the critical importance of coordination between flight crews and ground operations at busy airports.
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Further updates are expected as authorities release more information on the number of injuries and the circumstances that led to the collision. Aviation investigators will likely focus on how the ground vehicle came to be on the runway at the time of landing and whether communication protocols were properly followed.
