Two Pilots Killed in LaGuardia Airport Crash Identified

LaGuardia Airport, NY – The two pilots who died in the collision between a passenger jet and a Port Authority fire truck on [date] have been identified as Mackenzie Gunther and Antoine Forest.

Authorities confirmed that Gunther and Forest were the only fatalities among the 70 passengers and 4 crew members aboard the Jazz Aviation flight operating for Air Canada.

The pilots are credited with saving lives by minimizing the impact during the landing, as the aircraft collided with the truck. According to reports, approximately 40 individuals were taken to local hospitals, with some suffering serious injuries. Most have since been released.

Gunther, 23, was a recent graduate of Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto, where he completed the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology program. The college expressed its condolences, stating, “He will be deeply missed.”

Forest, 30, was identified through family confirmation and media reports; he served as the flight’s captain. A LinkedIn profile suggests he was based in the Greater Montreal area and had been employed with Jazz Aviation.

Two emergency responders in the fire truck suffered non-life-threatening injuries. One was expected to be released from the hospital later Monday, while the other will remain overnight for observation.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, although efforts have been delayed due to ongoing federal issues.