LaGuardia Plane Crash Lawyers | Pond Lehocky

What Happened in the LaGuardia Plane Crash on March 22, 2026? 

 At 11:40pm, a landing Air Canada plane crashed into an airport fire truck that was responding to a separate incident. The impact killed the two pilots aboard and injured dozens of people, including the two firefighters in the truck.  

Emergency crews responded immediately. The airport closed while hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed substantially. The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the incident. Of those, 41 people were transported to the hospital for treatment. Two people from the truck were also brought to the hospital. 

The truck was responding to a report of a foul, sickening odor on another plane at the airport. It had been cleared by air traffic control to cross the runway en route to the incident when it was impacted by the landing plane.  

The collision with the firetruck sheared off the nose of the plane, leaving wreckage dangling from the front. Photos of the crash scene show the plane tilted back onto its tail, with the overturned truck laying nearby.  

The flight was operated by Jazz Airlines, and had taken off from Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport around 10:30pm, about an hour before attempting to land at LaGuardia.  

There is no word yet on if LaGuardia plane crash lawsuits will be filed, and what liability each party has in the incident. If you have been affected by this or another airport incident, speak with an aviation injury lawyer today: 1-888-POND-LAW.  

What Caused the LaGuardia Plane Crash? 

The crash happened when an airport firetruck crossed a runway in the path of a landing plane, causing the two vehicles to collide. Experts are still investigating exactly why this was possible. The firetruck requested permission from air traffic control to cross the runway. Air traffic control granted the request, and then told the truck to stop multiple times. Investigators do not know at this point why the truck didn’t stop, and if the driver was able to hear the commands from air traffic control. The plane, which was traveling at more than 120mph seconds before the accident, could not deviate course.  

Jennifer Homendy, the chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said in a press conference that the truck lacked a transponder, so the airport’s early warning systems were not able to accurately track it.  She reminded listeners that airport safety procedures have multiple layers of failsafes built in, making it hard to point to one thing that went wrong and caused the accident. “When something goes wrong, it means many, many things went wrong.” 

What Is a Runway Incursion and Why Is It Important to This Lawsuit? 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a runway incursion as any incident at an airport or other aircraft flight facility that involves “the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.” The incident at LaGuardia falls into that category.   

Possible LaGuardia plane crash lawsuits may stem from the fact that the airport is responsible for preventing runway incursions.   

What Injuries and Deaths Resulted From the LaGuardia Plane Crash? 

So far, two deaths and 41 injuries have been reported. Most of the injured people have been released from the hospital. The two people killed were pilots Mackenzie Gunther and Antoine Forest.  

FAQs About the LaGuardia Plane Crash 

How Can a Plane Accident Lawyer Help with My Lawsuit? 

An aviation injury lawyer can help you determine what legal rights you have in the wake of a plane accident. Your lawyer will be able to determine who is at fault for an accident, and help you secure compensation for any injuries you may have sustained.  

Who Can File a LaGuardia Plane Crash Lawsuit? 

People affected by the LaGuardia plane crash may be eligible to file a lawsuit. This includes people who were aboard the plane or in the firetruck, or the families of the pilots who were killed.  

What Evidence Is Needed to File a Plane Crash Lawsuit? 

A plane accident lawyer can help you determine what evidence is needed to support your case. Key evidence may include black box data, voice recordings of the cockpit and air traffic control conversations, witness testimony, and technical evaluations of the crash mechanism.  

What Compensation Can Be Recovered in the LaGuardia Plane Crash Lawsuit? 

Victims of a plane crash may be eligible for a variety of damages, including medical expenses, which cover the costs associated with treating injuries from the incident; lost wages, when people are not able to work due to the accident or injuries sustained from it; wrongful death benefits, which aim to cover funeral costs, loss of income, and loss of companionship for the families of people killed in the accident; and pain and suffering damages, which cover emotional distress, physical discomfort, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident.  

How Long Do I Have to File a LaGuardia Plane Crash Lawsuit? 

There are strict statutes of limitations surrounding the plane crash lawsuit process. Anyone interested in filing a lawsuit should contact an aviation injury lawyer immediately. Specifically, since Port Authority is a government entity, claimants may need to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident. Personal injury claims in New York are subject to a three-year statute of limitations, while wrongful injury claims have a two-year statute.  

Contact an Aviation Injury Lawyer Today 

If you’ve been injured in a plane accident, it is critical to call a lawyer as soon as possible. Being involved in a plane crash is an incredibly difficult experience, and having to navigate the justice system on top of that can be overwhelming. An aviation attorney can at least help you with the latter. They can explain what your legal rights and options are, so you can make decisions about the best steps to take next.  

 For a free, no-obligation consultation, contact Pond Lehocky at 1-888-POND-LAW, or fill out the form on our website. We have operators ready 24/7 to answer your questions and provide you with expert legal help and support.