One of two pilots onboard Air Canada plane that collided with vehicle on runway named
One of the two pilots who were killed as a result of the Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday evening has been identified as Antoine Forest.
The commercial flight, which had arrived in New York from Montreal, had slowed down to around 24mph when it collided with a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey fire truck.
Officials say the ground vehicle was dealing with a separate issue involving an 'aircraft operated by United that had reported an issue with odor' when it collided with the Air Canada plane.
Jazz Aviation, who operated the flight on behalf of Air Canada, said that 76 people were onboard the flight, including four crew members.
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41 people were taken to hospital, though 32 passengers has since been discharged.
The pilot and the co-pilot died as a result of the crash.
"Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased and notifications are being made by Air Canada’s care team at this time," Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia told press on Monday.
The captain of the flight has since been identified as 30-year-old Antoine Forest, who had flown for Jazz Aviation since 2022.
Forest, from Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, lived in the small town which is roughly 25 miles from Montreal, his family confirmed to the Toronto Star.
Jeannette Gagnier, the pilot's great aunt, told the outlet that Forest had been flying since the age of 16.
"He was always taking courses and flying," she said. "He never stopped."
Following the tragic news that the pilots had died, Jazz Aviation President Doug Clarke said in a statement: "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.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our two pilots and our unwavering support to those who have been injured."
Remarkably, the two officers on the fire truck survived the crash.
Air Canada crash: what we know so far
Where did the crash happen?
On the evening of March 22, an Air Canada Express plane arrived at New York's LaGuardia airport from Montreal. At around 11.45pm ET on Runway 4, the Bombardier CRJ-900 twin-jet aircraft collided with a fire engine.
How many passengers were on board the aircraft?
Jazz Aviation, which operates as Air Canada Express, confirmed Flight 8646 from Montreal to LaGuardia was involved in the incident and said 72 passengers and four crew members were on board.
Confirmed deaths and injuries
Kathryn Garcia, the Port Authority Executive Director, said during a news conference that the 'two pilots of the aircraft are confirmed deceased'.
She also confirmed that 41 passengers and crew were taken to hospital, along with the two firefighters inside the vehicle that was hit by the aircraft.
The two officers remain in stable condition.
An investigation is underway
During the news conference, Garcia gave a couple of specifics that the National Transportation Safety Board will look at, including:
- The speed at which the plane was moving when it collided with the vehicle
- The staffing of the air traffic control tower at the time
- If anybody was ejected from the aircraft
Are flights leaving and arriving at LaGuardia Airport delayed or cancelled?
All flights arriving and departing from LaGuardia, one of the US' busiest airports, were cancelled or delayed the day after the crash, the BBC reports.
Arrivals and departures appear to be back on schedule at the time of writing.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks out
Offering his condolences to the victims, their families and all those affected by the crash, Carney wrote on X: "The collision involving an Air Canada Express aircraft last night in New York that claimed the lives of the pilot and co-pilot, and injured dozens more, is deeply saddening.
"Canadian officials are working closely with their U.S. counterparts on the ground as the investigation continues. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those impacted."
One of the two pilots identified
One of the two pilots who sadly died in the crash has been identified as 30-year-old Captain Antoine Forest.
The Toronto Star reports that Forest, from Coteau-du-Lac, Québec, was identified by his family.
Callum Jones