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.Forest was among the two fatalities in the late-night collision on Sunday, which also left dozens of passengers and crew members injured in what authorities have described as a major aviation incident.
Young pilot at the start of his career
Forest worked for Jazz Aviation, which operates regional flights under the Air Canada Express brand. He was part of the crew on Flight 8646, which had departed from Montreal and was attempting to land when the crash occurred.Describing the loss, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator Bryan Bedford said:“These were two young men at the start of their careers so it’s an absolute tragedy.”The Air Line Pilots Association also paid tribute, calling the deaths of the two pilots a “profound tragedy” and praising their dedication to passenger safety.
What happened at LaGuardia Airport
The crash took place late Sunday night at LaGuardia Airport in New York when an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway.According to officials, both the aircraft and the emergency vehicle had been cleared by air traffic control—setting them on a collision course.The plane, carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, struck the truck during landing. The impact killed both pilots and injured dozens on board, along with two Port Authority personnel on the ground.
Explosions from equipment inside the aircraft added to the chaos, while images from the scene showed the plane badly damaged on the runway.
Injuries and emergency response
Around 40 people were taken to hospital, most with minor injuries, and many were discharged by Monday morning. However, some individuals, including emergency responders, sustained serious injuries.Fire crews and emergency services rushed to the scene, with multiple units deployed to control the situation and assist passengers.
Investigation underway
Authorities, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have launched a full investigation into the crash.Preliminary evidence, including air traffic control audio, suggests confusion over runway clearance may have played a role. Experts say communication between controllers and ground vehicles will be a key focus.Aviation specialists note that such incidents typically result from multiple factors rather than a single cause.
Industry under scrutiny
The crash comes at a time when the US aviation system is facing increased pressure, including staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and broader safety concerns.The incident also led to the temporary shutdown of LaGuardia Airport, triggering widespread flight cancellations and delays.Forest’s death has drawn condolences from across the aviation industry, with colleagues remembering him as a committed professional whose life and career were cut tragically short.
