by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:05 AM ET, Tue March 24, 2026 
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 9:04 a.m. ET on March 24, 2026.
Update:
More details have emerged about the crash that claimed the life of two pilots when an Air Canada plane struck a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
The pilots have been identified in media as Antoine Forest and MacKenzie Gunther, who are being credited with mitigating the scope of the tragedy.
Clement Lelievre, a French national who was a passenger on the plane, told The Canadian Press, “I don’t know the circumstances, but I think he kind of saved our lives because he must have had incredible reflexes.”
Lelievere had his injuries treated on scene, as did many other passengers. Approximately 40 passengers were sent to hospital for treatment, of whom 32 have already been released, reports the Toronto Star.
Flight attendant Solange Tremblay is one of those aboard the flight being treated. Her daughter, Sarah Lepine, told the Canadian Press that Tremblay is facing surgery for multiple fractures to her leg. Tremblay was found over 100 metres from the crash, still strapped into her jumpseat.
The investigation into the crash will continue for some time. CBC News reports that both black boxes have been recovered, but that authorities are offering few details about the cause of the crash or air traffic control staffing. It seems that the fire truck was mistakenly cleared to cross the runway before air traffic controllers frantically tried to stop it.
The Toronto Star shared details about concerns that had been previously raised about air traffic control at LaGuardia, stating that nine reports involving a critical “ground conflict” at LaGuardia were submitted between January 2022 and January 2026 to the Aviation Safety Reporting System, a database where pilots, air traffic controllers and others can submit reports confidentially on close call events.
Original story:
A routine approach into New York’s LaGuardia Airport ended in tragedy Sunday night, after an Air Canada Express flight was involved in a collision on the runway that claimed the lives of two pilots.
The Montreal-bound aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members when it struck a Port Authority vehicle that had entered the runway while responding to another incident, according to reports from CBC News.
(Photo Credit: @yegwave via Twitter (X))
The two pilots were killed in the impact.
“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 (ARFF) vehicle that was responding to a separate incident,” a Port Authority spokesperson said.
“The pilot and co-pilot of the Jazz Aviation flight were pronounced deceased. Additionally, 41 people were transported to the hospital, 39 people on the aircraft and two ARFF officers.”
Images from the scene show significant damage to the front of the aircraft, with the cockpit area heavily impacted.
Early reports suggest the ground vehicle had been cleared to cross the runway, though the sequence of events leading to the collision remains under investigation.
Reuters reports that audio from air traffic control reviewed by U.S. media suggests frantic attempts to prevent the collision. Controllers reportedly instructed the vehicle to stop moments before impact.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are now examining what happened.
Speaking on CNN This Morning with Audie Cornish, former NTSB managing director Peter Goelz said the incident highlights broader concerns within the aviation system.
“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, on 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 four. 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.”
(Photo Credit: @AirCanada via Twitter (X))
In a statement, Jazz Aviation LP, which operates Air Canada Express flights, confirmed the incident and provided initial details.
“Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz"), operating as Air Canada Express, confirms that an incident involving AC8646 operated by a CRJ900 has occurred at LaGuardia (LGA),” the company said.
“Flight 8646 was en route to LGA from Montréal (YUL). The preliminary passenger list indicates the aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and 4 crew members, although this is subject to confirmation. The incident occurred at approximately 11:47PM on March 22, 2026.”
Air Canada said it is cooperating fully with authorities. Support is also being offered to passengers, crew members and employees affected by the incident. The airline has also shifted its social media profile images to black and white.
No further details are available at this time; however, Air Canada and Jazz will continue to issue regular updates as information becomes known.
Air Canada and Jazz Aviation teams are preparing to make their way to the site and details will be provided through additional statements as soon as possible.
Family and friends who need information about passengers on Air Canada Express flight AC8646 may telephone Air Canada at 1-800-961-7099.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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