Authorities identify Antoine Forest as Air Canada pilot killed in LaGuardia crash.

Authorities have identified Antoine Forest as one of the two pilots killed in the Air Canada plane crash at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Sunday night.

Forest, a 30-year-old aviator at the start of his career, was working as a first officer for Jazz Aviation when Flight 8646 crashed while attempting to land.

ABC Noticias

The collision occurred when the CRJ-900 aircraft struck a Port Authority fire truck that had been cleared to cross the runway at the same time the Air Canada jet received landing clearance.

Both pilots were pronounced dead at the scene in what authorities described as a major aviation incident.

Antoine Forest grew up in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, southwest of Montreal, and developed a passion for aviation from a young age.

His great aunt, Jeannette Gagnier, told the Toronto Star that Forest learned to fly bush planes at just 16 years old and pursued a professional aviation career throughout his life.

International Business Times UK

According to his LinkedIn profile, he previously flew for Air Saguenay and ExactAir before joining Jazz Aviation in December 2022 as a first officer operating Air Canada Express flights out of Montreal.

Gagnier described him as someone who was always taking courses and flying, noting he never stopped pursuing his aviation dreams.

The second pilot killed in the crash has been identified as MacKenzie Gunther, who was also serving as first officer on Flight 8646.

“One of the pilots killed in the LaGuardia Airport crash was a 30-year-old Quebec native who loved flying so much that he learned English to increase his chances at a career in aviation”

New York Post

Gunther was based in Canada and had built his young career flying regional aircraft, according to CBC News via Radio-Canada.

The crash occurred late Sunday night when the Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collided with a Port Authority fire truck that was racing to the aid of another plane in trouble nearby.

Both the aircraft and the emergency vehicle had been cleared by air traffic control, setting them on a collision course.

The pilots were attempting to land when the crash occurred, with the aircraft striking the fire truck on the tarmac.

Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford described the deaths of the two pilots as an 'absolute tragedy,' noting they were 'two young men at the start of their careers.'

The Air Line Pilots Association paid tribute to the pilots, calling their deaths a 'profound tragedy' and praising their dedication to passenger safety.

Newsweek

Jazz Aviation President Doug Clarke issued a statement expressing that 'today is an incredibly difficult day for our airline, our employees, and most importantly, the families and loved ones of those affected by the accident involving flight 8646.'

The company extended 'deepest condolences to the family and friends of our two pilots and our unwavering support to those who have been injured.'

About 40 of the 70 Air Canada passengers and surviving crew members were injured in the crash and taken to hospitals, though most victims were released by Monday morning.

“One of the pilots killed in the Air Canada plane crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old aviator at the start of his career”

The Times of India

Passenger Clément Lelièvre credited the pilots' 'incredible reflexes' with saving his life and others', noting that the pilots braked extremely hard just as the plane touched down.

The Times of India

The Port Authority reported that 32 people were later released from hospital, with many suffering only minor injuries.

The crash left dozens of passengers and crew members injured in what authorities have described as a major aviation incident, but the quick actions of the pilots likely prevented a more catastrophic outcome.