Late on the night of March 22 (local time), a serious aviation accident occurred at LaGuardia Airport. A regional passenger aircraft operated by Air Canada’s partner Jazz Aviation collided head-on with a Port Authority fire truck during landing, resulting in significant casualties and forcing the airport to shut down completely.
The flight involved was Air Canada Flight AC8646, traveling from Montreal to New York City. There were 76 passengers and 4 crew members on board. The accident claimed the lives of two pilots, while multiple passengers and ground firefighters were injured, some critically.
Airport Closure: Widespread Flight Disruptions
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) immediately issued a ground stop for LaGuardia Airport, suspending all arrivals and departures.
- Incoming flights were diverted to nearby airports such as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport
- Outbound flights were either canceled or delayed indefinitely
- The airport is expected to remain closed for several hours to allow investigators to examine the scene
Investigation Underway: Multiple Factors Being Examined
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation, focusing on several key areas:
- Whether runway safety procedures were properly followed
- Communication between air traffic control, the flight crew, and ground vehicles
- Weather conditions and visibility at the time of the incident
- Qualifications and operational compliance of both flight crew and ground personnel
Air Canada and Jazz Aviation have issued statements expressing deep condolences to the victims’ families and those injured, and affirmed their full cooperation with the investigation.
Travel Advisory
The airport remains closed for now and will gradually resume operations based on the progress of the investigation.
Travelers are advised to contact their airlines promptly, check the latest flight updates, and adjust their travel plans accordingly.
