Antoine Forest Obituary, LaGuardia Crash Death: Cherish Resident Has Died In A Fatal Crash
The aviation community was shaken by a devastating crash at LaGuardia Airport just before midnight, when a routine flight turned into a deadly collision. 30-year-old Antoine Forest, a first officer with Jazz Aviation, tragically lost his life in the crash, which occurred on the runway and involved a Port Authority fire truck. The incident left dozens injured and raised critical questions about safety protocols at the airport.
Forest, originally from Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, had been steadily building his aviation career. He had joined Jazz Aviation as a first officer in December 2022 and was flying Air Canada Flight AC8646 on the night of the crash. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900, collided with the fire truck while crossing the runway, causing catastrophic damage. The impact destroyed the aircraft’s nose section, leaving little chance for survival for those in the cockpit.
Known for his dedication and determination, Forest had trained at Cégep de Chicoutimi and had flown for regional operators like Air Saguenay and Exact Air before joining Jazz Aviation. His colleagues described him as focused and driven, living his dream of becoming a pilot, until it was tragically cut short in an instant.
The captain of the flight also perished in the crash, although authorities have not yet publicly released their identity. Together, the two pilots were responsible for the safety of 72 passengers and a small crew on board that night, making the incident a tragedy that extended far beyond the cockpit.
Among the survivors was veteran flight attendant Solange Tremblay, who had been seated in the forward jumpseat during the collision. The force of the impact ejected her from the aircraft while she remained strapped in her seat. Tremblay survived with a broken leg that required surgery but was spared life-threatening injuries. Her family has described her survival as a miracle, given the violent nature of the crash.
The crash occurred after an air traffic controller cleared a fire truck to cross the runway to respond to another aircraft. Moments later, the controller urgently attempted to stop the vehicle, but the warning came too late. Surveillance footage revealed that the aircraft was moving at high speed before striking the truck.
Out of the 76 people on board, 41 were taken to hospitals, but most have since been treated and released. Investigators are now focusing on runway safety procedures and communication breakdowns. For many, Antoine Forest’s name serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly life can change in aviation, and his memory will not soon be forgotten.