Two Pilots Identified in Fatal Air Canada Collision at LaGuardia Airport

Two Pilots Identified in Fatal Air Canada Collision at LaGuardia Airport

Authorities have identified the two pilots killed in a tragic runway collision involving an Air Canada regional flight at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night.

The victims have been named as Antoine Forest, 30, a captain from Québec, and Mackenzie Gunther, the aircraft’s first officer.

Forest was piloting a Bombardier CRJ-900 operating as Air Canada Flight AC8646 at the time of the incident. He had been working with Jazz Aviation since December 2022 and previously gained experience flying with regional carriers. He completed his aviation training at Cégep de Chicoutimi.

Gunther, who served as first officer, was in the early stages of her aviation career and had been actively building her path in the industry before the tragic crash.

The collision occurred shortly before midnight when the aircraft struck a fire truck that had been cleared to cross an active runway during a separate emergency response. Air traffic control audio indicates last-minute attempts were made to stop the vehicle, but the warning came too late.

The impact caused catastrophic damage to the aircraft’s forward section, including the nose and cockpit area, leading to the deaths of both pilots.

Despite the severity of the crash, one crew member—a veteran flight attendant—survived under extraordinary circumstances after being ejected from the aircraft while still secured in her jumpseat. She sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The plane was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, with dozens hospitalized following the crash. Most injuries were reported as non-fatal.

Federal investigators are now examining the incident, focusing on runway safety procedures, air traffic control decisions, and communication protocols to determine what led to the deadly collision.

The investigation remains ongoing.