Flights at LaGuardia Airport have been halted after an Air Canada aircraft collided with an emergency response vehicle on the runway, triggering a full airport shutdown and a federal investigation.
The incident occurred late on Sunday as a regional CRJ 900 jet arriving from Montreal had already landed and was slowing on the runway when it struck a firefighting vehicle operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The vehicle had been responding to a separate incident at the time of the collision.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) immediately issued a ground stop, warning there was a “high likelihood” of extended disruption as emergency services responded and investigations began.
Initial reports suggest the aircraft, which was carrying approximately 70 passengers and crew, sustained significant damage. A preliminary passenger manifest indicated 76 people were on board, including four crew members. Local media reported multiple injuries, although the severity has not yet been confirmed.
Footage circulating online showed the aircraft coming to a halt with visible front-end damage and its nose raised, underscoring the force of the collision.
Airport authorities confirmed that emergency protocols were activated immediately, with police, fire crews and senior officials from the Port Authority deployed to the scene.
In a statement, the airport said the aircraft had struck an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle while it was responding to another incident, prompting a rapid escalation of emergency procedures.
Authorities urged the public to avoid the area, with access roads and highway exits to the airport closed. The New York City Police Department and New York City Fire Department both warned of significant disruption, including cancellations, traffic delays and restricted access around the airport perimeter.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision, focusing on runway coordination, communication protocols and the circumstances surrounding the emergency response vehicle’s presence.
LaGuardia, one of New York’s busiest airports, is expected to face ongoing disruption as authorities assess the damage, clear the runway and conduct initial safety checks.
The incident adds to growing scrutiny of runway safety and ground operations at major international airports, particularly as traffic volumes continue to recover and operational complexity increases.
Passengers have been advised to check with airlines for updates, with widespread delays and cancellations expected to continue into the coming hours.