March 23, 2026 – Shocking cockpit video has emerged showing the final terrifying seconds before an Air Canada Express regional jet slammed into a Port Authority fire truck on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), killing both pilots on impact. The dramatic footage, shared widely on X by Breaking911
, captures the Bombardier CRJ-900 (Flight AC8646, operated by Jazz Aviation) during its landing rollout on
Runway 4. Sparks fly and debris scatters as the aircraft, still moving at high speed, collides head-on with the ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting)
The impact instantly destroys the cockpit and forward section of the plane.
The flight from Montreal (YUL) to LaGuardia was carrying 72 passengers and 4 crew members (total 76 people on board). It touched down late Sunday night, around 11:40 p.m. local time on March 22, 2026. The fire truck had been cleared by air traffic control to cross the active runway while responding to a separate emergency on a United Airlines flight (foul odor reported in the cabin). Seconds later, the controller urgently radioed “Stop! Stop!
Stop!” – but it was too late. Air traffic control audio released online captures the panic: the truck was given permission to cross, then the frantic warning. One report quotes the controller later admitting, “I messed up. ”
Casualties and injuries
Both pilots (the captain and first officer) were killed instantly.
41 people were rushed to hospital: 39 from the aircraft (passengers and crew) and 2 firefighters from the truck. Many injuries were serious, though dozens have since been treated and released.
One flight attendant in a jump seat was ejected through the front of the plane but survived with relatively minor injuries.
LaGuardia Airport remains closed as emergency teams work the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a “Go Team” investigation, joined by Canadian authorities (Transportation Safety Board) and the FAA. Officials are focusing on the runway incursion and how the fire truck ended up in the path of the landing
jet. Air Canada / Jazz Aviation statement
Jazz Aviation, operating on behalf of Air Canada, said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families of the crew members who lost their lives, as well as everyone affected.” The airline is cooperating fully with investigators.
🚨 HORROR FOOTAGE: Video shows Air Canada Flight AC8646 colliding with a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.
Both pilots are dead. Dozens of passengers and two on the truck were injured.
LGA remains closed as NTSB investigates.
pic.twitter.com/QtV3CMs3Uz— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 23, 2026
