Watch: Chilling video of Air Canada Express flight colliding with fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport surfaces

A major aviation tragedy unfolded at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night when a commercial aircraft collided with an emergency vehicle on the runway, killing two pilots and injuring dozens. Now the chilling surveillance footage of the crash has surfaced on social media.

The video shows the aircraft speeding down the runway before slamming into a fire truck approaching from the left.

The incident occurred at around 11:40 pm when Air Canada Express Flight 8646 — operated by Jazz Aviation — struck an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle that was already on the tarmac responding to a separate emergency. Officials said the vehicle moved into the path of the incoming jet.




The flight had departed from Montreal and was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. Images from the crash site show the aircraft’s nose severely damaged, with the fire truck overturned nearby.

A large-scale emergency response was launched immediately after the collision. At least 41 people — including passengers and two fire officers — were taken to nearby hospitals. Authorities said 32 of them had been discharged by early Monday, while others remain seriously injured. However, officials have not released detailed updates on their conditions.

In the aftermath, LaGuardia Airport was placed under lockdown. According to reports, the airport will remain closed until at least 2 pm Monday to allow for a full forensic investigation.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is dispatching a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the probe.

Air traffic control recordings reveal that the fire truck had requested and received permission to cross the runway. However, moments later, a controller can be heard urgently warning the vehicle to stop. “Stop, Truck 1, stop!” the controller repeatedly says.

Authorities have confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. The NTSB had deployed investigators to the site by around 3:30 am, as efforts continue to determine the exact cause of the collision.

(With inputs from agencies)