Who Was Antoine Forest? All About The Pilot Killed In Air Canada Plane Crash At LaGuardia Airport

LaGuardia Airport in New York was recently left shaken after a tragic aviation accident. An Air Canada Express flight landing at the airport collided with a fire truck at the airport, instantly claiming the lives of the aircraft's pilots and leaving dozens of others injured. The tragic incident, which took place late on March 22, 2026, has now raised serious concerns about the lack of coordination and the functioning of air traffic control. On the other hand, the two casualties included a young pilot, Antoine Forest, whose identity has now been confirmed.

Who was Antoine Forest? 

Antoine Forest was a first officer working with Jazz Aviation. The company operated regional flights under the Air Canada Express banner. According to a Toronto Star report, Antoine had been in the role for nearly 3 years. It means he was relatively new, but a dedicated member of the aviation industry. Originally from Coteau-du-Lac in Quebec, he had a deep passion for flying, which is reflected in his social media posts, where he often shared images from the cockpit and his journeys.

Initially, he worked as a lifeguard, but it was a dream come true for him when he transitioned into aviation. As per authorities, such as FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, Antoine, and the other pilot were "young men at the start of their careers." 

Meanwhile, Antoine is survived by his mother, Manon Turpin, his brother, Cédric Forest, and his grandmother, Jeannette Gagnier. Furthermore, some reports claim that he has been in a relationship with his partner, Kahina Gagnon, since 2022. Now, his sudden death has affected both his family and the aviation community. 

Subsequently, after the crash, several tributes have poured in for the pilot from across the aviation industry. Jazz Aviation President, Doug Clarke released a statement acknowledging it was "an incredibly difficult day" for the airline and extending condolences to the families of the pilots. Some passengers have also highlighted and appreciated the pilots' efforts to save others in the final moments. One passenger told Sun that despite the crash, the pilots' actions may have prevented an even greater tragedy, calling them "heroes." 

What happened in the Air Canada Express crash at LaGuardia Airport? 

The LaGuardia Airport crash occurred when an Air Canada Express Flight 8646 arrived from Montreal with a total of 72 passengers and four crew members on board at around 11:40 p.m. According to Reuters and an initial investigation, the air crash, in the process of landing at the airport, collided with a fire truck that had been cleared to cross the runway.

On the other hand, the plane was simultaneously cleared to land. ATC audio suggests that they made a last-minute attempt to stop the vehicle, but the warning came too late. The collision damaged the aircraft's front, especially the cockpit. As a result, both pilots were killed immediately, 40 passengers and crew members were injured, and the incident remains under investigation. 

Rest in peace, Antoine Forest. We send our condolences for those who lost their lives in the tragic accident 

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