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LaGuardia Runway Crash: Pilot, Co-Pilot Killed, Flights Halted After Plane Hits Fire Truck
Sanjeev Kumar | March 23, 2026 6:23 PM CST


After the crash, US aviation authorities ordered all flights at LaGuardia Airport to be grounded. Officials warned there was a high chance the shutdown would last for a long time.

The port authority later confirmed that the airport would remain closed until at least 1800 GMT. Passengers were advised to expect cancellations, delays, and traffic problems around the airport area.

New York’s emergency management team also warned people to avoid the area if possible and use other routes.

Investigation underway

The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a special investigation team, known as a “go team”, to examine the crash. They will study what went wrong and whether safety rules were followed.

Authorities said the airport was closed to allow a full and careful investigation.

Airport already facing issues

Before the accident, LaGuardia Airport was already dealing with flight delays due to poor weather. There were also longer waiting times at security checks because of staff shortages linked to a federal funding lapse.

LaGuardia is one of the busiest airports in New York. It handled about 33.5 million passengers in 2024. The airport recently completed a major $8 billion redevelopment project to improve its old infrastructure.

Past incidents raise concerns

This crash adds to concerns about air safety in the United States. In January 2025, a deadly mid-air collision near Washington killed 67 people.

There have also been several close calls and accidents involving planes on the ground in recent years.

(With inputs from agencies)

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