Collision at LaGuardia Airport | “He was a very good pilot”

Antoine Forest had always dreamed of being a pilot. Full of potential, he was an adventurer, a smiling and sincerely empathetic person.

Aged 30, the native of Coteau-du-Lac, in Montérégie, is one of the two cockpit occupants who tragically lost their lives late Sunday evening following the collision of their plane at LaGuardia Airport in New York. First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, a young man from Ontario, also died.

On Sunday, the aircraft – of which Forest was the commander – collided with a fire truck on the tarmac. Flight AC8646 from Montreal was operated by Jazz Aviation as Air Canada Express.

“When I found out, (Monday) afternoon, it struck me,” says Roberto Baldin, who had been Antoine Forest’s flight instructor during his pilot training in Saguenay. “I was a little upset. »

On the other end of the line, Mr. Baldin is in shock. Eight years after his student obtained his pilot’s license, he was still in contact with him, and even considered him a friend.

“We developed and then maintained a great bond. Last fall, he went down to Chicoutimi, we went to have a beer in town. We talked about adventures, going on bike rides, hiking,” recalls the teacher at Cégep de Chicoutimi. Together, the duo sometimes landed their planes on lakes, he smiles.

Antoine Forest obtained his license from the Center québécois de formation aéronautique (CQFA) in 2018, with a specialization in bush aviation. After stints at Exact Air, where he continued training in airline piloting, and Air Saguenay, the young man joined Jazz Aviation as a first officer in December 2022.

“He was a very sensitive student, attentive to others, ready to help,” continues Mr. Baldin. He was always in a good mood, always happy to see you. A good living man. »

As for Mackenzie Gunther, the young man received his diploma in aviation technology in 2023 from Seneca Polytechnic in Peterborough.

“He joined Jazz Aviation immediately after and began his professional flying career. He was the first officer on the flight from Montreal to New York,” Seneca explained in a statement Monday.

His former school said they were “in mourning”, and that he will be “deeply missed” by his loved ones and friends. Flags on its campuses will be flown at half-mast Tuesday to mark his loss.

Rain of tributes

“It’s not easy, this tragedy,” continues Daniel Beauchemin, a family friend, in a message to The Press. “Antoine is a good guy, a big heart who loved life. Very responsible and professional. A great loss which was avoidable,” he laments.

Mr. Beauchemin explains that Antoine was a great friend of his son; they were members of the same aquatic club in their younger years.

On social networks, there were numerous tributes to the Quebec pilot. From relatives, friends, former colleagues, or simply individuals touched by his story.

In these publications, those who knew him speak of an “incredible person”, of whom they have fond memories, and whom they thank for his presence in their lives. Some wish him, always in the image of the career he has chosen, a good last flight.

Several people also changed their profile picture on Facebook, showing the plane, the flight number and a black ribbon.

“It is said of Antoine that he embodied energy and projects, and his unique way of putting them into action. Appreciated by his colleagues everywhere he went, we particularly admired his professionalism and his teamwork,” wrote Jean Laroche, director, research and development, at the Quebec Aeronautical Training Center.

Roberto Baldin confirms: in his eyes, Antoine was “upright” and “about his business”. With his training in bush piloting, he had safety at heart and keen judgment. These qualities made the student a sought-after profile in airline aviation, according to his instructor.

Her great-aunt Jeannette Gagnier, who confided in Toronto Starremembers that Antoine Forest made his first flights at the age of 16.

At the end of high school, he even spent a year with the woman he considers a grandmother, in Hawkesbury, Ontario, to improve his English in preparation for his future career as a pilot.

“He was always taking lessons or flying,” M said.^me Winner at Star. He never stopped. »