Tragic Collision at LaGuardia: Two Pilots Killed in Air Canada Flight Crash

Mon Mar 23 2026 23:27:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A devastating incident at LaGuardia Airport as Air Canada flight AC8646 collided with a fire truck, resulting in the death of two pilots and injuries to dozens.

Eyewitness accounts reveal chaos during the tragic crash of Air Canada flight AC8646 at LaGuardia Airport, as the aircraft collided with a fire truck, leading to the deaths of two pilots. The incident has sparked an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, raising concerns about airport safety protocols as the airport remained closed for hours, causing widespread delays.

Eyewitnesses have described the moment Air Canada flight AC8646 crashed into a fire truck on the runway of New York's LaGuardia airport, killing two pilots and injuring dozens of others.

We were literally like 100 metres away, says 23-year-old Leo Medina, who was onboard another plane on the tarmac when the crash happened. It was like the plane got cut in half. He told the BBC he then had to return to the gate and had been waiting in the airport for more than 12 hours, sleeping on the floor on a bed of jackets.

After visiting the crash site, US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of wearing seat belts for safety in all modes of transportation.

Antoine Forest, 30, a Quebec native, was identified as one of the deceased pilots. The other pilot has not been named yet. These were two young men at the start of their career, so it's an absolute tragedy, said FAA administrator Bran Bedford.

The incident, which occurred at 23:40 local time on Sunday, injured 41 individuals, some of whom were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Passenger Rebecca Liquori recounted the terrifying moments as the plane landed roughly, describing a loud boom just after touchdown. It was like the plane jolted and you heard the pilot try to brake... Then there was just a very loud boom, she recalled.

In audio captured from the air traffic control tower, a voice can be heard urgently calling for the fire truck to stop just moments before the collision. The truck was responding to an earlier incident involving another plane due to a reported issue.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani referred to the accident as a tragic collision and confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident. I am grateful to our first responders, whose swift actions saved lives, he remarked.

The crash has reignited concerns regarding safety protocols at LaGuardia Airport, which was closed following the incident, causing delays and cancellations of hundreds of flights. With the FAA investigating and public officials expressing their condolences, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in aviation.