Air Canada CRJ collides with fire fighting truck on landing in New York | Flightradar24 Blog

An Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz Aviation) CRJ-900 collided with an Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle while landing at New York’s La Guardia Airport (LGA) late Sunday, 22 March. Flight AC8646 from Montreal landed on Runway 4 and was rolling down the runway when it struck the ARFF apparatus as it crossed the runway. 

The emergency vehicle reportedly was responding to a United aircraft that had reported fumes onboard.

ATC audio captured by LiveATC.net indicates the ARFF truck was cleared to cross Runway 4 at taxiway D. The tower controller can be heard telling “Truck 1” to stop multiple times before dispatching additional ARFF units on the airfield to the scene.

Granular data from the aircraft indicates a gradual deceleration on the runway until the aircraft reaches Taxiway E. At that point the aircraft’s ground speed decreases quickly and the reported track changes. 

Truck lacked transponder

In their post-incident briefing, the NTSB said that the emergency vehicle involved in the collision wasn’t equipped with a transponder. While LaGuardia is equipped with ASDE-X technology, no alert was triggered for the ATC staff in the tower.

ASDE-X is a surface surveillance system that integrates radar and transponder data to track aircraft and vehicles and provide automated runway incursion alerts to air traffic controllers.

Casualties reported

Images purportedly showing what remains of the aircraft is circulating in social media. The entire front of the aircraft was demolished, suggesting a high-speed collision. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have confirmed that both pilots died in the accident, and that 41 people were taken to hospital.  

The operator of Air Canada Express flight 8646, Jazz Aviation, has disclosed that the preliminary passenger list revealed that the aircraft carried 72 passengers and four crew members. 

La Guardia remained closed for operations until 2 PM (18:00 GMT) on Monday and has since re-opened. 

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 23, 2026

Flight data recorder has been found

In a press conference held in the evening (local time) of March 23rd, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that the flight data recorder (FDR) as well as the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) had been retrieved from the aircraft. Both units have been transported to Washington DC, and are expected to be analyzed as part of the investigation.

25 hours worth of CVR data was recorded and 80 hrs of FDR data, along with hundreds of parameters, according to the NTSB. It will be analyzed and transcribed on March 25th.

Aircraft details

Air Canada Express (Jazz Aviation) flight AC8646 was operated by a CRJ-900LR registered C-GNJZ. The aircraft was delivered new to the airline in 2005.

Investigative updates

The NTSB issued its preliminary report on 23 April, detailing the sequence of events leading up to the collision between the CRJ and ARFF truck. The preliminary report also details the functions of the on-airport vehicle surveillance and operation of various safety measures on the airfield designed to prevent collisions. 

As with all preliminary reports, the NTSB does not make a finding of probable cause for the accident, that will be a part of the final report issued in approximately 12 months time.

Ian Petchenik’s love of aviation began at an early age growing up next to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. As Flightradar24’s director of communications and co-host of the AvTalk podcast Ian now gets to share that passion for aviation with millions of Flightradar24 users and listeners around the world.

More about Ian Petchenik

Ian Petchenik’s love of aviation began at an early age growing up next to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. As Flightradar24’s director of communications and co-host of the AvTalk podcast Ian now gets to share that passion for aviation with millions of Flightradar24 users and listeners around the world.

More about Ian Petchenik

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