Two dead in New York airport plane crash as plane collides with vehicle

An Air Canada plane collided with a vehicle on a taxiway at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday night

An Air Canada plane was involved in a tragic collision with a vehicle on a taxiway at LaGuardia Airport late on Sunday (March 22) night, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries, it’s been reported.

The incident led to the temporary closure of the airport. The New York Post reported that the vehicle involved was a fire engine which collided with the aircraft, leaving four firefighters critically injured.

NBC News reported that the pilot and co-pilot died of their injuries post-collision. A sergeant and an officer, who sustained broken limbs, are reportedly in a stable condition in hospital, based on initial information from sources.

The Express reported no other significant injuries. The incident is believed to have taken place on Runway 4 within Delta’s terminal area around 11:37pm, according to AeroCrewNews and NYCFireWire.

All FDNY units, except for the first-due engine company, were dispatched to the scene, reports the Daily Record.

Local news site Col Live identified the aircraft as Jazz Airlines Flight 646, operated by Air Canada’s regional carrier, Jazz Airlines. The plane, arriving from Montreal, Quebec, had just landed in New York when it collided with a Port Authority emergency vehicle whilst attempting to cross runway 04/22.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has implemented a ground stop, suspending all flights at the airport, citing an emergency. The regulator’s notice indicated a strong probability that the suspension would be extended, although no further details were provided.

Emergency services are understood to continue working at the site, attempting to secure the area. Passengers and airport staff have described the situation as chaotic, with flights facing delays or cancellations.

It’s reported that the airport will remain closed until 2pm on Monday, causing significant travel disruption at one of New York City’s busiest transport hubs. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Authorities have yet to confirm the identities or condition of those injured. Video footage shared on social media shows evacuation and rescue operations taking place at the airport following the collision, with one clip apparently showing the aircraft’s nose angled upwards as passengers disembarked.