ANTOINE FOREST, newly released video captures the devastating moment Air Canada Flight AC8646 collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in a fatal crash that claimed the lives of both pilots and left dozens of others injured.
Authorities have identified one of the deceased pilots as Antoine Forest, a native of Coteau-du-Lac, who had been serving as a first officer with Jazz Aviation since December 2022, according to publicly available professional records, as tributes began to emerge recognizing his career and contributions to regional aviation.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, had just arrived from Montreal carrying 72 passengers and four crew members when the collision occurred on an active runway. Preliminary findings indicate the impact caused catastrophic structural damage to the forward section of the aircraft, reportedly shearing off the nose and killing both the captain and first officer instantly, with emerging reports also highlighting that a flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft during the crash.
Multiple sources familiar with the response stated that the forward-positioned flight attendant was found outside the aircraft while still secured in her jumpseat, indicating a violent structural breach at the time of impact, while the second flight attendant, positioned at the rear, is believed to have remained onboard and assisted passengers immediately after the incident.
Air traffic control audio revealed the chaotic sequence leading up to the collision, with controllers urgently attempting to stop the emergency vehicle and issuing repeated commands as both the aircraft and fire truck entered the same runway path, after the vehicle had reportedly been cleared to cross while responding to a separate in-flight emergency involving another aircraft.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes and initiated triage procedures for passengers and crew, with dozens evaluated at the scene and multiple individuals transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, while several victims remained hospitalized and injuries were also reported among personnel aboard the fire truck.
In the immediate aftermath, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a ground stop at LaGuardia Airport to facilitate emergency operations and secure the crash site, while the National Transportation Safety Board launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
In a formal statement, Jazz Aviation President Doug Clarke expressed condolences to the families of the deceased pilots, including Forest, and extended support to those injured, while reaffirming the company’s cooperation with federal investigators.
The incident has increased scrutiny over runway safety protocols, particularly regarding coordination between emergency vehicles and air traffic control during critical situations, as the investigation continues with authorities working to determine the exact sequence of events and contributing factors behind the fatal collision.
