Air Canada Crash: Pilots Identified, LaGuardia Airport Collision Kills 2

Air Canada Crash: Pilots Identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther

The two pilots who died in a collision between Air Canada Express Flight 8646 and a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport on March 22, 2026, have been identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther. The incident occurred just after the flight landed.

Antoine Forest

Antoine Forest has been widely identified by Canadian media as one of the pilots involved in the crash. According to his Facebook profile, Forest was from Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec. The city of Coteau-du-Lac issued a translated statement expressing condolences to his family, relatives, and friends.

Forest’s LinkedIn profile lists his position as a CRJ first officer with Jazz Aviation LP Air Canada Express, a role he held since December 2022. His profile as well details prior experience with Exact Air and Air Saguenay, as well as a period as an assistant engineer with Canadian Helicopters Unlimited.

Mackenzie Gunther

Mackenzie Gunther was a graduate of Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto. The school announced his death in an online statement, noting that he died “in the aviation accident at LaGuardia Airport in New York” on March 22, 2026.

Gunther graduated from the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology program in 2023. Seneca Polytechnic stated that he joined Jazz Aviation immediately after graduation through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, beginning his professional flying career as the First Officer on the flight operating as Air Canada Express from Montreal to New York.

“Seneca sends our deepest condolences to Mr. Gunther’s family and friends, and to his former colleagues and professors. He will be deeply missed,” the school added. Flags on Seneca’s campuses were flown at half-mast on March 24, 2026, in his honor.

Seventy-two passengers were onboard the flight, and four crew members were working it. More than 40 people were treated for injuries at area hospitals, some of which were serious. Passengers credited the pilots with acting quickly to save lives.