'Dancing with the Stars' alum survived a plane crash: 'I owe my life to two brave souls'

Charlotte Jørgensen, who competed on the show with John O'Hurley, recounts the harrowing incident at LaGuardia Airport.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:05pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass and twisted metal from an airplane crash, captured in dramatic high-contrast lighting to convey a sense of fragility and chaos.The harrowing aftermath of a plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has left one 'Dancing with the Stars' alum grateful for the pilots' bravery.Los Angeles Today

Charlotte Jørgensen, a ballroom dancer who competed on 'Dancing with the Stars' alongside John O'Hurley, announced she survived a recent plane crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. The two pilots were killed in the crash when the plane hit a fire truck on the tarmac, but Jørgensen credits the pilots' bravery for saving her life and the lives of the other 40 passengers who were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Why it matters

The plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has raised concerns about airport safety and the risks faced by both passengers and flight crews. As a former 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant, Jørgensen's survival story has also resonated with fans of the show and the broader entertainment community.

The details

According to Jørgensen's Instagram post, she was on an Air Canada flight from Montreal to LaGuardia when the collision with the fire truck occurred on the runway. While the two pilots were killed in the crash, Jørgensen credits their bravery for saving her life and the lives of the other 40 passengers who were injured and taken to the hospital.

  • On March 24, 2026, Jørgensen was on a flight from Montreal to LaGuardia Airport.
  • The plane crashed into a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport.

The players

Charlotte Jørgensen

A ballroom dancer who competed on 'Dancing with the Stars' alongside John O'Hurley and survived the recent plane crash at LaGuardia Airport.

John O'Hurley

An actor who competed on 'Dancing with the Stars' with Charlotte Jørgensen.

Antoine Forest

The captain of the Air Canada flight that crashed at LaGuardia Airport, who was killed in the incident.

Mackenzie Gunther

The first officer of the Air Canada flight that crashed at LaGuardia Airport, who was also killed in the incident.

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What they’re saying

“I owe my life to two brave souls Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther - they made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live. I am indebted to them and my thoughts are with their families.”

— Charlotte Jørgensen, Ballroom Dancer

The takeaway

This tragic incident at LaGuardia Airport has highlighted the bravery and sacrifice of the flight crew, as well as the resilience of passengers like Charlotte Jørgensen who survived the crash. The crash has also raised important questions about airport safety and the risks faced by both passengers and flight crews.