Two Pilots Killed, 41 Hospitalized in Air Canada Plane Crash at LaGuardia Airport in Queens

Air Canada Involved in Deadly LaGuardia Plane Crash With Fire Truck That Left 41 People Injured and Two Pilots Dead, Leading to Airport Closure

QUEENS, NEW YORK (March 23, 2026) – Two people have died and 41 people were injured in an Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York.

New York City officials are saying that the accident took place late Sunday. A Bombardier CRJ-900 with Air Canada was traveling from Montreal. It was transporting 72 passengers and four crew members when it was involved in a collision with a rescue truck responding to an unrelated emergency.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help all of the victims. Sadly, two of the pilots on the Air Canada flight were killed in the collision.

Another 42 people were transported to local hospitals to receive treatment. Audio from the air traffic controller could be heard giving instructions to the Air Canada plane prior to the collision.

They were reportedly yelling “Stop, stop, stop, stop!” Photos of the accident site showed catastrophic damage to the front section and underbelly of the plane.

A full investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration remains ongoing. The attorneys at GLK Law are also currently investigating the circumstances of this LaGuardia plane crash.

In addition to this investigation, they are currently representing families of the victims from the Hudson River helicopter crash in Jersey City, New Jersey.

If you have been affected by the Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia, don’t wait to take action. You can reach out to us anytime for assistance at (516) 908-9792.

Liability for Plane Crashes at LaGuardia Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees Air Traffic Control and has a legal obligation to prevent reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This necessitates that they abide by all safety regulations and maintain proper clearance between every plane and every vehicle. If an Air traffic controller gives a plane clearance to land at a particular spot and also directs a vehicle onto that same runway, this could serve as evidence of negligence. There are many steps that the Air Traffic Control should take to avoid collisions between aircraft and vehicles.

• The ATC should never issue conflicting clearances under any circumstance.
• The ATC should be properly staffed by trained personnel at all times.
• The ATC should ensure that stop bars on a runway are illuminated when that runway is active.
• The ATC should provide constant surface movement radar monitoring.
• The ATC should require two step clearance and maintain continuous radio contact to confirm a runway is actually clear.
• The ATC should eliminate ambiguity by using standard and approved language.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be multiple liable parties for any plane crash. This includes the carrier responsible for operating a plane. Pilots must also use caution and exercise due care to avoid a collision. They must scan the sky ahead of them and any potential landing spot for hazards. If a hazard presents itself, they must actively divert their plane to a safe location. When a pilot fails to slow down to avoid colliding with any vehicle or other aircraft, the carrier that employed them could also be legally responsible for the collision.

Steps to Take After A New York City Plane Crash

Commercial air travel remains remarkably safe. But recent years have been plagued by a number of high-profile collisions. Part of the problem is that there simply aren’t enough trained air traffic controllers. According to The National, “The [Air Canada] crash comes as US aviation faces chronic shortages of air-traffic controllers and a separate shortfall of airport security screeners because of a partial government shutdown that has led to delays, long security queues and heightened safety concerns across airports nationwide.” Multiple steps should be taken after any plane crash.

• Medical Records: All medical records related to injuries should be sought.
• ATC Records: All ATC communications between pilots involved in any collision should be carefully scrutinized.
• Black Box: Commercial planes are equipped with a black box. This device contains critical information about how a plane was being handled prior to any collision.
• Legal Review: Any person injured in a plane crash should carefully consider their legal options with a skilled New York airplane accident attorney.

It can be hard to know where to begin after any plane crash. Victims are often left with catastrophic injuries that impair their ability to work. They may also be left with high medical bills. Sadly, the ATC and airlines will virtually never accept responsibility for any serious collision. In all likelihood, they will blame each other in an attempt to divert responsibility away from themselves. Victims of plane crashes are protected by a number of laws. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating New York Plane Crashes

We at GLK Law extend our deepest condolences to the families of the pilots killed in this collision. It is our sincere hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. Any person with more information should reach out to the FAA. Many questions remain unanswered at this time.

Have you or a loved one been affected by a plane crash at the LaGuardia Airport in Queens? You may have legal recourse. Our team of New York City airplane accident attorneys is here to support you. We are committed to helping victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.