Tragic LaGuardia Airport Crash Claims Lives of Two Pilots

A tragic incident at LaGuardia Airport resulted in the deaths of two pilots, Antoine Forest and MacKenzie Gunther, during a collision involving their aircraft and a fire truck. The crash occurred as the plane was landing, leading to injuries among passengers and crew. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause, with a focus on air traffic control coordination. The community mourns the loss of the young pilots, who were just beginning their careers in aviation. This incident raises concerns about safety protocols at airports.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 24, 2026, 03:53 IST

Details of the Incident

Radio-Canada has reported the identities of the two pilots who tragically lost their lives in the LaGuardia Airport accident as Antoine Forest and MacKenzie Gunther. Bryan Bedford, the administrator of the US Federal Aviation Administration, referred to them as "two young men at the beginning of their careers." Kathryn Garcia, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, confirmed that two individuals from the rescue vehicle involved in the incident were hospitalized. One is expected to be discharged soon, while the other will remain under observation overnight. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that there were 72 passengers and four crew members on the flight, with approximately 40 individuals requiring medical attention. Many have since been released from the hospital.

About the Pilots

Who Were Antoine Forest and MacKenzie Gunther?

Antoine Forest, hailing from Coteau-du-Lac in Quebec, was one of the pilots who perished in the crash, as reported by Radio-Canada. This town is located southwest of Montreal, near the Ontario border. The municipality of Coteau-du-Lac expressed its "sincerest condolences to his family, loved ones, and friends" through a social media statement, wishing them comfort during this challenging time.

Forest had been working with Jazz Aviation since December 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile. Social media images depict him engaging in various outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, sailing, and climbing.

Crash Overview

Details of the Crash

The aircraft involved was a CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada as Flight AC8646, arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members. Just before the collision, a Port Authority fire truck was dispatched to assist a United Airlines flight that had reported a cabin odor. At approximately 23:40 local time on Sunday (03:40 GMT Monday), the aircraft collided with the fire truck while landing.

Audio from air traffic control indicates that the truck had been cleared to cross the runway initially. As the aircraft approached, a controller was heard urgently instructing: "Truck One, stop, stop, stop!" Data from flight-tracking service Flightradar24 suggests the aircraft struck the vehicle at a speed of approximately 39km/h (24mph). The last recorded data from the plane was logged just minutes before the incident.

Investigation into the Crash

Investigation Insights

Authorities from both the US and Canada are actively investigating the cause of the crash, with initial indications pointing towards issues with air traffic control coordination. Proper communication between ground controllers, who oversee vehicles and taxiways, and tower controllers, who manage aircraft movements, is crucial for runway crossings. Procedures are in place to ensure the runway is clear before granting permission to cross. Approximately 20 minutes after the incident, one controller appeared to take responsibility, stating: "We were dealing with an emergency earlier. I messed up." Mary Schiavo emphasized that a significant focus for investigators would be on how air and ground traffic were managed, noting, "I don’t know how many wake-up calls the FAA needs, but this has been happening for years, and sadly, some of the most horrific air crashes in history happen on the ground at the airport."