A late‑night runway collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport left two pilots dead, dozens injured and the airport closed for hours as federal investigators launched an urgent probe into the circumstances surrounding the plane crash.
The incident occurred late Sunday night when Air Canada Flight 8646, a regional jet operated by Jazz Aviation, struck a Port Authority fire truck while landing on Runway 4. The aircraft, which had arrived from Montreal carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, sustained catastrophic damage to its nose. The pilot and co‑pilot were killed in the impact.
At least 41 people were transported to area hospitals following the collision, including 39 passengers and two Port Authority officers who were aboard the ground vehicle. Officials said 32 individuals were later released, while others remained hospitalized with serious injuries. All passengers were accounted for, including an unaccompanied minor who was reunited with family members.
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said the fire truck had been responding to a separate incident when it was cleared by air traffic control to cross the runway. Audio recordings indicate controllers attempted to stop the vehicle moments before the collision, though investigators have not yet determined how the breakdown occurred.
“Our thoughts are firstly with the families suffering as this investigation begins. As a former Air Force navigator and an aviation attorney who has litigated cases against air traffic controllers and the FAA, I can tell you this appears troubling. Active runways are sacred. Clearing a vehicle across an active runway with an aircraft on final approach is a fundamental breach in runway coordination and security," said Motley Rice aviation attorney Jim Brauchle.
LaGuardia Airport remained closed during the emergency response, forcing flight diversions and cancellations throughout the country. The National Transportation Safety Board deployed a team to lead the investigation, with Canadian authorities participating due to the aircraft’s operator.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the two pilots who lost their lives, and to all those injured in last night’s collision at LaGuardia. While the investigation is only just beginning, the early evidence — including air traffic control audio — raises serious questions about whether this was an air traffic control error and whether the FAA bears responsibility. We owe it to the victims and their families to pursue every answer, and we will,” said Motley Rice aviation attorney Mary Schiavo.
Motley Rice’s Experience with Aviation Litigation
Motley Rice attorneys have long represented victims and families affected by aviation disasters, including commercial airline crashes, runway incidents and mid‑air collisions. The firm currently holds leadership roles in litigation stemming from the 2025 crash‑landing of Delta Flight 4819 in Toronto, where Motley Rice attorney James Brauchle was appointed Co‑Lead Counsel and Tola Familoni serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee. Additionally, Motley Rice aviation attorney and former Inspector General of the Department of Transportation Mary Schiavo serves as an aviation analyst for CNN. Drawing on decades of knowledge and work litigating complex aviation cases involving airlines, manufacturers, airports and air traffic control, Motley Rice works to hold responsible parties accountable and promote safer skies for the traveling public.