Two pilots were killed and more than 40 people taken to hospital after an Air Canada jet carrying 72 passengers and four crew collided with a fire truck on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night. Flight AC8646, operated by Air Canada Express carrier Jazz Aviation, had arrived from Montréal Trudeau International Airport.
Here are the latest developments. All times eastern.
10:50 p.m.
One of the pilots who died in the Air Canada crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday has been identified as Mackenzie Gunther.
Seneca College says Gunther graduated from its aviation technology program in 2023.
The Toronto-based college says he joined Jazz Aviation immediately after graduation.
Seneca says flags at its campuses will be lowered to half-mast on Tuesday.
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5:15 p.m.
The daughter of an Air Canada Jazz flight attendant is confirming that her mother, Solange Tremblay, was ejected from the plane and found by first responders near the wreckage.
Sarah Lépine told The Canadian Press it’s a “miracle” her mother is alive.
She said in a direct message exchange that her mother, who has worked for the airline for more than two decades, was found about 100 metres away from the plane, still strapped in her seat.
Lépine said her mother had multiple breaks and fractures in her right leg requiring surgery.
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5 p.m.
The Toronto Star has identified one of the pilots killed in the jet crash at LaGuardia airport as Antoine Forest, from Coteau-du-Lac, Que., southwest of Montreal.
The town of Coteau-du-Lac, which is by the boundary with Ontario, posted a message of condolence to Facebook to Forest’s family and friends.
Two pilots were killed and more than 40 people injured when a CRJ-900 operated by Air Canada Express carrier Jazz Aviation collided with a fire truck on the tarmac shortly before midnight Sunday.
The flight was coming from Montréal Trudeau International Airport, carrying 72 passengers and four crew members.
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3:55 p.m.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says more than one controller was on duty at LaGuardia airport at the time of the plane crash.
Duffy initially declined to comment on staffing during a news conference this afternoon, citing the ongoing investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, but went on to say that a rumour that there was only one controller in the tower was “not accurate.”
He later added that the airport is “well-staffed” but still faces a shortage of air traffic controllers.
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3:50 p.m.
The head of New York’s Port Authority says Sunday’s plane crash marks the first fatal incident at LaGuardia airport in more than 34 years.
Kathryn Garcia, the Port Authority’s executive director, was among a handful of U.S. officials to provide an update on the crash at the airport this afternoon.
She says one of the two people inside the fire truck involved in the collision is expected to be released from hospital this afternoon, and the other is set to stay overnight for observation.
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3:40 p.m.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says LaGuardia airport is now open, although at a reduced capacity.
Speaking at a news conference at the airport, Duffy said capacity is reduced for the time being because the aircraft and fire truck involved in Sunday’s deadly crash are still in their positions.
Duffy said the collision that killed two pilots and sent dozens to hospital is “incredibly sad” and “troubling.”
He urged air travellers to wear their seatbelts.
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3:35 p.m.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says a Transport Canada adviser and Transportation Safety Board investigators have been deployed to New York to assist in the investigation of the crash.
He says U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has pledged to co-operate with Canada on the investigation.
MacKinnon says he has also spoken with the CEOs of Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz, as well as the head of the pilots union.
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2:27 p.m.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed sadness and issued condolences to the families of the pilots killed in the Air Canada crash at La Guardia Airport.
MacKinnon told the House of Commons at the start of question period that he has spoken to his U.S. counterpart.
“Canada is looking for answers,” MacKinnon said in French.
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1:16 p.m.
Michael Rousseau, Air Canada president and CEO, says the airline is focusing its efforts on the needs of passengers and crew members, and of their families and loved ones.
In a video uploaded to X, Rousseau says Air Canada doesn’t have all the answers about what happened Sunday night as the circumstances of the collision are still under investigation.
He says he is deeply saddened by the loss of two Jazz Aviation employees.
“We are working with the authorities to confirm the number of injuries and if there are any other fatalities.”
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12:25 p.m.
Sen. Chuck Schumer says he spoke with Jennifer Homendy, chairperson of the National Transportation Safety Board, who told him multiple investigators are heading to the site of the collision at LaGuardia airport.
On the X platform, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate said the government owes it to the families of the two dead pilots and dozens of injured New Yorkers to find out exactly how the crash happened.
“I will be watching like a hawk to make sure the NTSB and local authorities get to the bottom of this.”
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11:15 a.m.
Canadian Ambassador to the United States Mark Wiseman says he is deeply saddened by the collision at LaGuardia.
On the X platform, he said the embassy’s consular team is working to support those affected.
“My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and with those injured.”
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10:50 a.m.
United States President Donald Trump called the fatal collision “terrible.”
Speaking on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport, Trump suggested the crash was due to human error.
“Terrible. They made a mistake. It’s a dangerous business. That’s terrible.”
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10:20 a.m.
Quebec Premier François Legault says he learned with deep sorrow about the fatal collision at the New York airport.
In a statement on X, the premier says his thoughts are with the people close to the two pilots who died and everyone else affected by the crash.
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10 a.m.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his condolences to the victims of the collision and their families.
He said the crash, which killed the pilot, co-pilot and injured dozens more people, was “deeply saddening.”
“Canadian officials are working closely with their U.S. counterparts on the ground as the investigation continues.”
“My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those impacted.”
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9:33 a.m.
The president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l says the loss of two crew members in the collision at LaGuardia Airport is “a profound tragedy.”
Capt. Jason Ambrosi says the pilots dedicated their careers to the safe transport of passengers.
“We are all thinking of their families, loved ones and colleagues at Jazz Aviation during this devastating time,” he said in a statement.
“ALPA’s accident investigation team is travelling to assist the National Transportation Safety Board with its work, and our Critical Incident Response Program is working to support ALPA members and the families involved.”
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8:46 a.m.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he is “saddened to hear of the awful news” of the crash at LaGuardia Airport.
“My thoughts are with the families of the two pilots who lost their lives, and hope for the many injured in hospital to make a full recovery,” he said in a post on social media.
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8:44 a.m.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says it is deploying its own team to support the NTSB in their investigation.
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8:15 a.m.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says additional consular officials are en route to New York to provide assistance to passengers in the wake of the crash.
She says Canadian consular officials are in contact with local authorities and they are supporting passengers.
“I reiterate my profound and utter sadness at the loss of two pilots during this tragic accident,” she said in a social media post.
“I am thinking of their families and friends, as well as the passengers on board, including those who were injured.”
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7:42 a.m.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada says in a social media post that her thoughts are with families affected by the tragedy.
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7:02 a.m.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says his thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by the collision at LaGuardia Airport.
He says the Federal Aviation Administration is deploying a team to the site to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.
“We will continue to work closely with the NTSB and share additional updates as soon as possible,” he said.
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6:44 a.m.
Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon says he is “deeply saddened” by the crash at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada Express aircraft arriving from Montréal.
“My thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and colleagues of those who lost their lives, as well as all those who were injured,” he said in a post on social media.
“Canada is working closely with U.S. authorities as they investigate this incident, and we are following developments closely. Aviation safety remains our highest priority.”
The report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2026.
The Canadian Press
