One of the pilots killed in Sunday’s horrific Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Antoine Forest, a young aviator at the very start of his professional career.
Forest and his co-pilot were the only fatalities in the disaster, which occurred when their Air Canada Express jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a live runway.
The collision also injured scores of passengers and crew members, as well as two Port Authority police officers who were inside the emergency vehicle at the time of the impact.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford described the loss of the two young men as an absolute tragedy during a Monday afternoon press conference, noting the promising futures that were cut short.
The incident unfolded after a catastrophic communication error led an air traffic controller to give the fire truck permission to cross the runway while simultaneously clearing the jet for landing.
The Port Authority vehicle was responding to a separate report of an odor aboard another aircraft when it was struck by the landing CRJ-900, which was being operated by Jazz Aviation LP.
Harrowing audio from the control tower captured the moments leading up to the crash, with a controller heard frantically shouting "Stop, Stop, Stop" before admitting to a colleagues that he had messed up.
About 40 of the 70 people on board the flight were transported to local hospitals, though officials confirmed that most suffered only minor injuries and were released by Monday morning.
The Air Line Pilots Association released a statement calling the loss of their two fellow crewmembers a profound tragedy, emphasizing their dedication to the safety of their passengers until the very end.
Jazz Aviation President Doug Clarke expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen pilots, stating that the day was incredibly difficult for the airline and its entire workforce.
As the National Transportation Safety Board begins its investigation into the runway incursion, the crash has sparked fresh concerns regarding air traffic control staffing and safety protocols at the busy Queens airport.