Captain Antoine Forest, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York last month, is being honored today in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec. The incident involved Air Canada Express Flight 8646, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, which was en route from Montreal to New York with 72 passengers and four crew members when it collided with a fire truck on the runway on March 22.
The crash resulted in the loss of both pilots on board, including Captain Forest, and also claimed the life of First Officer MacKenzie Gunther. The bodies of the two pilots were repatriated to Canada shortly after the tragic event. Captain Forest, aged 30, had been employed at Jazz Aviation since December 2022, as indicated on his LinkedIn profile, which also showcased his enthusiasm for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, sailing, and climbing.
The local community in Coteau-du-Lac paid tribute to Captain Forest with heartfelt condolences, as mourners gathered at the J.A. Larin & Fils Inc. funeral home. The Jazz Master Executive Council called upon all crew members to stand in solidarity with Forest’s family during the visitation, with hundreds of pilots and crew members attending in their professional attire to honor their fallen colleague.
The visitation sessions, accommodating a large number of visitors, took place in the afternoon and evening, with expectations of a significant turnout throughout the day. In a gesture of support, the family has requested donations to be made to the CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Foundation in lieu of flowers. The Air Line Pilots Association, representing 1,400 Jazz pilots, expressed their condolences and support during this difficult time.