Air Canada Crash Kills 2 Pilots, Injures 41 at LaGuardia

Collision between jet and fire truck raises questions about runway safety protocols

Mar. 27, 2026 at 6:50am

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A tragic collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Sunday night claimed the lives of two Canadian pilots, Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, who were operating an Air Canada Express jet. The plane struck a Port Authority fire truck on the runway, resulting in 41 injuries to passengers and crew. An investigation is underway to determine the cause, with a focus on potential communication breakdowns between air traffic control and the fire truck.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about runway safety and the need for robust communication protocols between all parties operating on airport tarmacs. The loss of two young, promising pilots has also shaken the aviation community, underscoring the risks and sacrifices made by those dedicated to careers in flight.

The details

The Air Canada Express flight, operating as flight 8646, was arriving from Montreal with 72 passengers and four crew members when it struck the fire truck. The fire truck had been cleared to cross the runway shortly before the collision, according to air traffic control recordings. The impact crushed the nose of the aircraft and scattered debris across the runway. Passengers evacuated using the emergency exits, and 41 people were injured, with nine remaining hospitalized as of March 27, 2026.

  • The collision occurred on Sunday night, March 26, 2026.
  • As of March 27, 2026, nine people remained hospitalized from the incident.

The players

Antoine Forest

A 30-year-old pilot from Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, who had been flying since the age of 16 and had experience with Air Saguenay and ExactAir before joining Jazz Aviation in December 2022.

Mackenzie Gunther

The First Officer, who was linked to Seneca College, a Canadian institution known for its aviation programs. Details surrounding his background are still emerging.

Jazz Aviation

The regional airline brand operated by Jazz Aviation that was operating the Air Canada Express flight.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The agency responsible for the fire truck that was involved in the collision with the Air Canada Express jet.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The agency currently investigating the cause of the collision, including the lack of a runway warning system activation.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the collision, including examining the sequence of events, communication protocols, and potential contributing factors.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the critical importance of clear communication and robust safety protocols in the aviation industry. The loss of two young, promising pilots has shaken the community, and the investigation will likely lead to renewed scrutiny of runway safety measures and the need for continuous improvement to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.