A tragic runway collision at LaGuardia Airport has left two pilots dead and multiple firefighters seriously injured after an Air Canada Express passenger aircraft crashed into a fire truck late Sunday night, according to international media reports.

The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, was arriving from Montreal when the incident occurred around 11:38 pm (local time). Reports suggest the plane was moving at approximately 39 kmph when it collided with the emergency vehicle on Runway 4.

According to reports, both the pilot and co-pilot died in the impact, while at least two firefighters inside the vehicle suffered severe injuries, including broken limbs. They are currently undergoing treatment and are said to be in stable condition.

Dramatic visuals from the scene quickly surfaced online, showing large-scale rescue operations and passengers being evacuated safely from the aircraft. Unverified footage indicated significant damage to the plane’s nose, which appeared crushed and lifted upward following the impact.

Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed an immediate ground stop at the airport, suspending all incoming flights. Several aircraft were diverted to nearby airports or asked to return, causing major disruption in operations. Authorities indicated that the shutdown could remain in place for hours as emergency response teams secured the area.

Preliminary information suggests the fire truck may have been responding to another emergency when it entered the active runway, leading to the collision. Weather conditions at the time were also reported to be unfavourable, which may have contributed to the incident.

Officials have not yet released a final statement confirming the exact cause of the crash or the total number of casualties. Investigations are expected to focus on runway coordination, communication systems, and emergency response protocols.