One of the pilots tragically killed in the LaGuardia Airport crash on Sunday night has been identified as Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old Quebec native who had a deep passion for flying.
Forest was remembered by his grieving great-aunt, Jeannette Gagnier, who spoke to the Toronto Star about his love for aviation and his dedication to his career.
The Crash
Forest and another pilot were killed when their Air Canada jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck on the runway. The fire truck was racing to assist another aircraft that had encountered trouble nearby.
The Air Canada flight, operated by Jazz Aviation, was cleared to land on the runway at the same time the fire truck was given the go-ahead to cross, leading to the tragic accident.
Antoine Forest’s Passion for Flying
Gagnier shared with reporters that Forest had been passionate about flying from a young age. “He flew his first plane when he was 16 years old,” she recalled, adding that Forest worked hard to improve his skills, including learning English in high school to improve his chances in the aviation industry.
“He was always taking courses and flying. He never stopped,” Gagnier said.
The Young Pilot’s Career
Forest was listed as a first officer for Jazz Aviation since December 2022, operating flights under the Air Canada Express brand. His tragic death, along with that of his cockpit colleague, has deeply impacted the aviation community. Both pilots were seen as dedicated to ensuring the safety of their passengers.
Industry Reactions
The FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford expressed his sorrow, saying, “These were two young men at the start of their careers, so it’s an absolute tragedy that we’re sitting here with their loss.”
The Air Line Pilots Association also issued a statement, remembering the pilots as dedicated professionals. Union President Jason Ambrosi said, “The loss of our two fellow crewmembers onboard Flight 8646 is a profound tragedy.”
Jazz Aviation President Doug Clarke added, “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.”
Survivor and Passenger Updates
Around 40 of the 70 passengers and surviving crew members on Flight 8646 were taken to the hospital. Fortunately, many suffered only minor injuries, with most being released by Monday morning.
Ongoing Investigation
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash, which has been described as an unfortunate and tragic accident. The identities of the other pilot and the specific causes of the collision are still being looked into.
