In brief
An Air Canada Express flight tragically crashed into a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in the deaths of pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther. Both pilots were at the beginning of their careers, with Forest being 30 years old from Québec, and Gunther graduating just last year. The accident, which also injured 41 others, occurred late at night and has led to investigations into air traffic control and safety regulations.
The two pilots killed when an Air Canada plane crashed into a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport have been identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther.
Local media reported Forest was 30 years old and from Québec, while Gunther graduated from Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto in 2023.
The incident, which happened at 23:40 local time on Sunday (03:40 GMT on Monday), injured 41 people who were taken to hospital and shut down the New York airport until Monday afternoon.
These were two young men at the start of their career, so it's an absolute tragedy that we're sitting here with their loss, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator Bran Bedford said.
Forest learned to fly bush planes in Saguenay in 2018, the Toronto Star reported. He was hired by Jazz Aviation in December 2022. His great aunt, Jeannette Gagnier, shared how much he cherished flying, having flown his first plane at the age of 16.
Gunther was also recognized by Seneca Polytechnic where flags will be lowered in his honor.
The flight, operated by Air Canada Express carrier Jazz Aviation, originated in Montreal. Miraculously, flight attendant Solange Tremblay survived after being ejected from the plane and found alive strapped to her seat more than 300 feet away.
Investigations are ongoing into what led to the collision, including details shared from cockpit and tower communications. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy pointed out that an outdated air traffic control system and a malfunctioning ground radar system may have contributed to this tragic event.
