The Pilots Who Died in the LaGuardia Crash: Everything We Know So Far

Air Canada pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther were killed when their CRJ-900 collided with a fire truck on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport late on March 22. The flight carried 76 people -- 72 passengers and four crew members, with 41 hospitalised, including 39 from the plane and 2 firefighters from the truck. 6 remained in care as of March 25.

Here is what is known about the 2 LaGuardia crash victims.

Who Was Captain Antoine Forest?

Antoine Forest, 30, was captain on Flight 8646 and originally from Coteau-du-Lac, southwestern Quebec. He worked for Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, based in the greater Montreal area. His great-aunt Jeannette Gagnier told The Associated Press he had always wanted to be a pilot.

Who Was First Officer Mackenzie Gunther?

Mackenzie Gunther, 22, was from Peterborough, Ontario. He graduated from Seneca Polytechnic's Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology programme in 2023, with ratings in multi-engine and Group 1 Instrument from Transport Canada. Through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Programme, he joined Jazz immediately after graduation and began his professional flying career.

How Did Their Families React?

Forest's brother Cedric posted a tribute on Facebook alongside a childhood photo, writing that Antoine had left too soon. Gunther's family had not issued a public statement as of March 25. The Air Canada pilots union confirmed its accident investigation team was assisting the NTSB and supporting affected families.

What Did Passengers Say About the Pilots?

Passenger Rebecca Liquori, a Long Island resident, told WABC-TV that the pilots saved the lives of everyone on board. Liquori said she felt the pilots brake to slow the plane in the moments before the collision, protecting the 72 passengers as much as possible. "I wouldn't be here had it not been for the pilot acting quickly," she said, her voice breaking. 

What Happened in the Final Seconds Before the LaGuardia Crash?

The tower cleared Truck 1 to cross Runway 4 while the LaGuardia jet was already on approach. Seconds later, a controller urgently called out: "Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, Truck One, stop, stop, stop!" The fire truck had pulled onto the runway less than 20 seconds before impact, when the plane was just over 100 feet from the ground. It was too late.

What Is the Investigation Focusing On?

Truck 1 carried no transponder, and the ASDE-X runway safety system failed to generate an alert before the LaGuardia crash. Two controllers were on duty. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said conflicting information exists about who handled which duties, and investigators have not confirmed which controller said "I messed up" on LiveATC audio.

(With inputs from yMedia)