An Air Canada aircraft was involved in a tragic accident at LaGuardia Airport in New York City on Sunday night, March 22, resulting in the deaths of two pilots and prompting the shutdown of the busy airport. The aircraft, identified as Air Canada Express flight AC8646, collided with a firetruck that was responding to an unrelated incident on the runway.
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The collision took place at approximately 11:40 p.m. local time. Following the crash, the airport was closed, with officials announcing it would remain shut until at least 2 p.m. the following day, March 23. This incident has raised serious concerns about safety protocols at one of America’s most important air transport hubs.
President Donald Trump, while en route back to Washington after a weekend in Florida, referred to the situation as “terrible” and expressed his thoughts on the inherent dangers of aviation. “They made a mistake. It’s a dangerous business,” he told reporters, emphasising the gravity of the incident.
The Air Canada flight, which was travelling from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew on board, saw both the pilot and co-pilot lose their lives in the crash. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 41 individuals were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with 32 having been released by Monday morning. Among those injured were two Port Authority officers who were reported to be in stable condition after suffering serious injuries during the event.
Audio from air traffic controllers at LaGuardia has revealed a chaotic response during the moments leading up to the collision. At one point, a controller is heard instructing the firetruck to stop, only to admit later that they had made an error in allowing it to cross the runway.
Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director of the Port Authority, held a press conference to provide updates on the incident. She confirmed that a minor, who was unaccompanied on the flight, had been safely reunited with their family. The gravity of the accident has prompted oversight from federal authorities, as both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are launching investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has stated that he will visit LaGuardia Airport to oversee the federal response to the investigation. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who represents New York, has expressed his condolences regarding the loss of the pilots and injuries sustained by passengers and first responders. He stressed the importance of ensuring a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident for the sake of the victims and their families.
In a statement, Air Canada offered a contact number for family and friends seeking information about passengers aboard the ill-fated flight. “Family and friends who need information about passengers on Air Canada Express flight AC8646 may telephone Air Canada at 1-800-961-7099,” the airline said.
This incident marks another significant air traffic tragedy during President Trump’s tenure, including a previous midair collision involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter earlier in 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals near Washington, D.C.
As the investigation progresses, the ongoing focus will remain on understanding how such a deadly accident could occur at one of the nation’s busiest airports. Authorities are under scrutiny to not only determine the factors leading to the collision but also to ensure that measures are implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The situation remains fluid, and further updates from both local and federal authorities are expected in the coming days.