LaGuardia Airport Crash 2026: Two Pilots Killed as Air Canada Jet Hits Fire Truck — Full Story

They saved 72 lives — and paid with their own.

At around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday March 22, Air Canada Express Flight 8646 and a fire truck collided on LaGuardia's Runway 4, killing the two pilots and injuring about 40 people on board and two people in the truck. (E! News)

It was a tragedy that should never have happened — and a story of two pilots who became heroes in their final seconds.

✈️ What Happened

A regional Air Canada jet collided with a Port Authority airport vehicle at LaGuardia Airport in New York City late Sunday — an on-the-ground crash that demolished the front of the airplane, killed two pilots, injured dozens of passengers and prompted the airport to shut down. (WWD)

The CRJ-900 was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. Two firefighters were on the truck. The collision killed the plane's pilot and copilot and injured dozens of people, including a flight attendant who was thrown from the plane while still strapped to her seat. (365Scores)

🦸 The Heroes — Antoine Forest & Mackenzie Gunther

The pilots, who were both killed, have been credited with saving the lives of the 72 passengers on the plane late Sunday by quickly braking and minimizing the impact. (Scores24)

One passenger, Rebecca Liquori, said she felt them brake to try to slow the plane down ahead of the crash. "I'm just so appreciative that they were able to save us, but I'm just so sad that they weren't able to make it home to their families. I wouldn't be here had it not been for the pilot acting quickly."

🚨 Why Did the Fire Truck Cross the Runway?

The Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting truck was responding to unrelated reports of an "odor" on a United flight when it was struck at 11:40 that night. (E! News)

A controller can be heard on audio saying "Truck 1, stop." After the collision, an air traffic controller is heard saying "I messed up." (Scores24)

📡 The Safety System That Failed

A fire truck involved in the fatal collision was not equipped with a transponder — technology that helps air traffic controllers identify and track vehicles on the airfield. (365Scores)

LaGuardia is one of 35 major U.S. airports with an advanced surface surveillance system known as ASDE-X — but it didn't work as intended this time because the fire truck wasn't outfitted with a transponder. (WWD)

A 35-ton fire truck, crossing an active runway, completely invisible to safety systems.

📊 LaGuardia Crash — The Numbers:

Detail

Fact

🗓️ Date

March 22, 2026 — 11:45 PM

✈️ Flight

Air Canada Express 8646

👥 Passengers

72 + 4 crew

💀 Deaths

2 pilots

🏥 Injured

41 people

🔒 Airport

Closed — partial reopen March 23

🔍 Investigation

NTSB ongoing

🔗 Read More:

TSA Chaos: 366 Officers Quit

Rest in peace Antoine Forest & Mackenzie Gunther — true heroes. 🙏 Drop your reaction below 👇