They came from opposite ends of Canada, following very different paths to the cockpit.
But on Sunday evening, fate placed them on the same flight — and what passengers later shared about them is a story no obituary could ever capture.
The tragic plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has shaken people across the U.S. and around the world.
And behind the headlines and news reports are real lives lost and grieving families. The Air Canada Express CRJ‑900, which collided with a fire truck on the runway late Sunday, had two pilots on board.
Both were killed in the crash, and 41 people were taken to the hospital. Amid the chaos, the pilots reportedly did everything possible to save the lives of everyone on the plane and the firefighters on the runway. In those final critical moments, they engaged reverse thrust — an action that may have prevented an even greater tragedy.
More details continue to emerge about who these men were — their backgrounds, the paths they followed, and the immense dedication it took to reach the cockpit. A passenger, still shaken from the tarmac, also shared words that cast the tragedy in a new light.
Antoine Forest: A life in the air
At the controls was 29‑year‑old Antoine Forest, a Quebec native from the small town of Coteau‑du‑Lac.
With just 7,800 residents, Coteau‑du‑Lac is “the kind of place where everyone knows someone connected to the family,” Mayor Andrée Brosseau told The Canadian Press. Forest’s death has deeply affected the close‑knit community. His path to the cockpit was far from straightforward: he began flying bush planes with Air Saguenay while training as an aircraft maintenance apprentice, moved on to Canadian Helicopters Limited, then to Exact Air, where he rose from apprentice to captain.
His great‑aunt, Jeannette Gagnier, shared memories of the young pilot, recalling how he and his brother spent summers with her while he worked on his English, determined to pursue aviation.
“He was unstoppable,” she said. “Always studying, always flying. He flew his first plane at just 16. Today is such a heartbreaking day…” By December 2022, Forest had joined Jazz Aviation LP as a first officer, the role he held at the time of the crash.
Off duty, Forest embraced life fully — hiking, kayaking, sailing, and rock climbing.
He had been in a relationship with Kahina Gagnon, herself a professional pilot and Canadian Armed Forces officer.
Just days after the accident, Kahina updated her Facebook with a photo of herself and Antoine, captioned: “The love of my life.” His brother, Cédric Forest, shared a moving tribute Monday night.
“Have a good flight, my brother!” he wrote. “We’ve heard that phrase often, but this time it will be the last. You were always coming and going, always full of new projects. You left us again, too soon to say goodbye.
“I love you, my brother,” he added. “You can leave with your head held high.”
Mackenzie Gunther: Just beginning his journey
Beside Forest in the cockpit was Mackenzie Gunther, a young aviator fresh out of Seneca Polytechnic, where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology in 2023.
Through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, he moved directly into the first officer role — Flight 2384 marked the beginning of a promising new chapter.
“Seneca sends our deepest condolences to Mr. Gunther’s family and friends, and to his former colleagues and professors. He will be deeply missed,” the college said in a statement.
Gunther’s path was built on steady, unglamorous work: co‑op placements at Porter Airlines and seasonal landscaping, quietly building toward his dream. His alma mater mourned him publicly, lowering flags across campuses.
The owner of a Toronto coffee shop where Gunther was a regular shared his heartbreak with The New York Post. “When I didn’t hear back after a day, I thought it wasn’t a good sign,” said Daniel Biro, owner of Rapid Ends Coffee in Peterborough, Ontario.
“Mackenzie was an amazing young man. He just graduated a couple years ago. He was a regular here every week while he was in school,” Biro said, noting that the pilot had recently married.
Over the years, Biro said they would occasionally talk about flying, and he saw firsthand how excited Gunther was to pursue his dream.
“That was his passion — flying. A life taken too young,” Biro said. “He had his whole life ahead of him. It’s super tragic.”
Passengers remember the pilots’ heroism
For the 72 passengers and four crew members aboard, the disaster could have been far worse. The Air Canada Express CRJ‑900 collided with a Port Authority fire truck on the runway, killing both pilots instantly, injuring several others, and sending 41 people to hospitals.
Yet many now say that Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther did everything they could to protect the lives of everyone on the plane and on the ground.
The harrowing air traffic control audio paints a vivid picture of the chaos: rapid instructions, urgent decisions, and a final, desperate attempt to avoid collision. Every word underscores the impossibly fast thinking and calm professionalism of the two men in the cockpit.
In Montreal, Coteau‑du‑Lac, and at Seneca Polytechnic, friends, family, and colleagues are left grappling with grief. Yet even amid the tragedy, the pilots’ bravery stands out. They faced a moment of unimaginable danger and acted with skill, courage, and selflessness — qualities that saved countless lives.
As one passenger reflected, “They are heroes ❤️.” And for those who survived, the lives of Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther will never be forgotten.
