Jet collides with vehicle at LaGuardia
Four injured as probe begins into runway incident
An Air Canada Express CRJ‑900 regional jet struck a ground vehicle while landing at LaGuardia Airport, prompting an airport closure and emergency response, officials and tracking data reported. The aircraft, arriving from Montreal, collided with a fire truck operated by police at an estimated speed of about 24 mph (39 kph), according to flight‑tracking records. Photographs from the scene showed visible damage to the plane’s nose and the jet tilted upward after impact.
Emergency crews, including airport fire and rescue teams, responded immediately. Four people were reported injured and taken to hospital, media sources said: the aircraft’s pilot and co‑pilot sustained serious injuries, while a police sergeant and an officer aboard the fire truck suffered broken limbs and were in stable condition. No fatalities were reported. Authorities cordoned off the area and suspended operations temporarily while first responders secured the site and assessed damage.
LaGuardia operations were disrupted, with flights delayed or diverted until the damaged aircraft and vehicle could be cleared and safety inspections completed. The airline said it was focused on passenger care and cooperating with investigators. Aviation authorities and airport officials opened an investigation to determine the sequence of events and causes, reviewing air traffic communications, ground vehicle movements, surveillance footage and maintenance records.
Ground collisions are treated seriously due to risks to life and airport operations; potential contributing factors under review typically include miscommunication between crews and ground control, vehicle routing errors, procedural lapses, or human factors. The probe aims to identify any operational failures and recommend measures to prevent recurrence. Passengers affected by cancellations and delays were being rebooked and offered assistance.
Officials cautioned that full findings will take time and urged public patience while investigators reconstruct the incident. The event highlights challenges in busy airport environments where coordinated movement of aircraft and ground vehicles is critical to safety.
