The two pilots killed in a plane crash at LaGuardia Airport have been identified as Antoine Forest, 30, from Québec, and Mackenzie Gunther, a recent graduate from Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto. The incident, which occurred at approximately 23:40 local time, involved an Air Canada flight colliding with a fire truck, injuring 41 people who have since been hospitalized. FAA administrator Bran Bedford called the pilots' deaths an absolute tragedy, highlighting their promising careers cut short.
Forest learned to fly in 2018 and joined Jazz Aviation in late 2022, while Gunther graduated from Seneca just before securing his position with Jazz. The flight originated in Montreal and further examinations have raised concerns regarding the air traffic control systems in place at the time of the accident. A ground radar system that could have provided an alert before the collision failed to do so, and there were reports that the fire truck lacked a transponder.
Moreover, a miraculous survival story emerged as flight attendant Solange Tremblay, who was ejected from the aircraft, was found alive a considerable distance from the crash site with multiple fractures but is receiving medical care. The investigation is ongoing as officials review communications leading up to the disaster and assess the need for upgrades to the air traffic control infrastructure.
Forest learned to fly in 2018 and joined Jazz Aviation in late 2022, while Gunther graduated from Seneca just before securing his position with Jazz. The flight originated in Montreal and further examinations have raised concerns regarding the air traffic control systems in place at the time of the accident. A ground radar system that could have provided an alert before the collision failed to do so, and there were reports that the fire truck lacked a transponder.
Moreover, a miraculous survival story emerged as flight attendant Solange Tremblay, who was ejected from the aircraft, was found alive a considerable distance from the crash site with multiple fractures but is receiving medical care. The investigation is ongoing as officials review communications leading up to the disaster and assess the need for upgrades to the air traffic control infrastructure.
