Pilot & Co-Pilot Involved In Collosion At LaGuardia

USPA NEWS - The Air Canada pilot and co-pilot who lost their lives in the ground collision at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday have been identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther. The two pilots were flying an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 regional jet operated by Jazz Aviation, Air Canada's regional partner.

Captain Antoine Forest, a passionate aviator from Quebec, tragically lost his life in the Air Canada Express crash at LaGuardia Airport. Antoine’s love for flying began at 16, when he first learned to pilot bush planes. His dream took him from flying Canadian bush aircraft to becoming a First Officer with Jazz Aviation, proudly flying under the Air Canada Express banner.

First Officer Mackenzie Gunther… a young pilot who had just begun his dream. Gunther's remarkable journey was celebrated in an online tribute by Seneca Polytechnic, where he proudly graduated from the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology program in 2023, marking the beginning of a promising career as a pilot. Gunther joined Jazz Aviation following graduation and began his professional flying career.

The union representing the pilots on Monday released a statement honoring the memory of the two pilots, whose unwavering commitment to safety has inspired countless lives. “These pilots dedicated their careers to the safe transport of passengers, and we are all thinking of their families, loved ones, and colleagues at Jazz Aviation as we come together to support one another during this challenging time.”

The two pilots, Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, are now being commemorated through what Air Traffic Control recordings indicate: not chaos, not panic, but control, communication and a tireless effort to manage a situation that was unfolding too rapidly. They collaborated in real time, while making critical decisions under pressure. Passengers on board the flight have credited the pilots' swift actions before the impact with potentially saving numerous lives, a testament to their skill and quick thinking.