Antoine Forest Biography 2026: Age, Career, Family, LaGuardia Crash & More
Antoine Forest was a passionate young Canadian pilot from Quebec whose lifelong dream of flying ended tragically on March 23, 2026. At just 30 years old, he served as a First Officer (some reports refer to him as Captain in the flight) with Jazz Aviation, operating Air Canada Express regional flights. He lost his life alongside fellow pilot Mackenzie Gunther when their Bombardier CRJ-900 jet (Flight 8646 from Montreal) collided with a Port Authority fire truck on the runway at New Yorkās LaGuardia Airport. The incident, the first fatal crash at LaGuardia in over 30 years, claimed the lives of both pilots while injuring dozens of passengers and crew. Forest is remembered for his dedication, early start in aviation, and commitment to safety and continuous learning.
This profile gathers the known facts about Antoine Forest age, background, aviation journey, and the heartbreaking events of 2026.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Antoine Forest |
| Nick Name | Not publicly known |
| Profession | Commercial Pilot, First Officer |
| Birth Year | 1995 or 1996 |
| Age | 30 (at time of passing on March 23, 2026) |
| Birth Place | Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Known For | First Officer with Jazz Aviation (Air Canada Express); tragic death in LaGuardia Airport runway collision |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian (Quebecois) |
| Zodiac Sign | Not publicly specified |
| Height | Not publicly available |
| Weight | Not publicly available |
| Hair Color | Not publicly available |
| Eye Color | Not publicly available |
| Qualification | Commercial pilot training; bush plane and multi-engine experience |
| Religion | Not specified (family tributes emphasize dedication and character) |
| Marital Status | Not publicly detailed |
| Relationships | Private (no confirmed public information) |
| Children | None publicly mentioned |
| Family | From Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec; specific relatives not widely named in reports |
| Hobbies | Flying, continuous training, outdoor activities (fishing, exploring nature) |
| Current Work (at time of passing) | First Officer, Jazz Aviation LP (Air Canada Express) |
| Years Active | Bush flying from age 16; professional airline role since December 2022 |
Early Life & Education
Antoine Forest grew up in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, a small community southwest of Montreal near the Ontario border. Surrounded by nature, he spent summers fishing and exploring, always looking skyward with dreams of flight. His passion ignited early: at just 16 years old, he took the controls of a bush plane for the first time. This experience set the foundation for his entire life.
To pursue a professional aviation career, Forest learned English to broaden his opportunities in the industry. He began with hands-on roles, including work as a lifeguard before fully committing to flying. He gained valuable experience piloting iconic Canadian bush aircraft such as the de Havilland Beaver (DHC-2) and Otter (DHC-3T), as well as the King Air 100 and Navajo. His LinkedIn profile highlighted progressive roles as First Officer and Captain on these aircraft, along with AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) apprentice experience.
Career Journey
Antoine Forest built a solid foundation in bush and regional flying before transitioning to airline operations. He held positions with Quebec-based operators, advancing through multi-engine aircraft and accumulating flight hours with dedication.
In December 2022, he joined Jazz Aviation LP, the regional partner operating flights for Air Canada Express. Based out of Montreal, he flew routes connecting Canada and the United States. Colleagues described him as hardworking, always taking additional courses, and never stopping his pursuit of improvement. āHe was always taking courses and flying. He never stopped,ā a family friend noted.
On March 23, 2026 (late evening of March 22 in some time zones), Forest was on the flight deck of Air Canada Express Flight 8646 from Montrealās Trudeau International Airport to New Yorkās LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft carried 72 passengers and four crew members. During landing, the jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck that had entered the runway to respond to another incident. The impact destroyed the nose of the plane, killing both pilots instantly. Passengers and remaining crew sustained injuries, with many hospitalized.
Forest and Mackenzie Gunther were remembered as young professionals at the start of promising careers. Tributes highlighted their quick actions and dedication to passenger safety.
Career Highlights
- Began flying bush planes at age 16
- Experienced pilot of de Havilland Beaver, Otter, King Air, and other aircraft
- Joined Jazz Aviation as First Officer in December 2022 (over three years by 2026)
- Flew regional routes for Air Canada Express out of Montreal
Personal Life
Antoine Forest kept much of his personal life private. He resided in the Montreal area while based with Jazz Aviation. Family and friends described him as a bright, dedicated soul with a deep love for aviation and the outdoors. No public details confirm marriage, a partner, or children. Tributes from loved ones focused on his lifelong passion and kind character rather than specific family relationships.
Controversies
No controversies or incidents are associated with Antoine Forestās career or personal life. Reports portray him as a competent, professional pilot committed to his craft.
Awards & Achievements
As a relatively early-career pilot, Forest had not yet received major public awards. His achievements included building extensive experience in challenging bush flying environments and successfully transitioning to scheduled airline operations with one of Canadaās major carriers.
Physical Statistics
Specific physical details such as height, weight, hair color, or eye color were not released in public reports or tributes following the accident.
Earnings
As a First Officer with a regional airline like Jazz Aviation, typical entry-to-mid-level salaries for pilots with his experience would range from approximately CAD $80,000 to $120,000+ annually, depending on flight hours and contracts. Exact figures for Forest are not publicly available.
Interesting Facts
- Took his first solo flight in a bush plane at age 16.
- Learned English specifically to advance his aviation career.
- Gained hands-on experience flying classic Canadian bush planes like the Beaver and Otter.
- Was described by those who knew him as someone who ānever stoppedā learning and flying.
- The LaGuardia crash marked the first fatal accident at the airport in 34 years.
Did You Know?
Antoine Forest started his aviation journey as a teenager flying bush planes in remote Canadian areas before achieving his dream of airline flying with Air Canada Express.
Social Media Links
Antoine Forest maintained a low public profile on social media. A Facebook profile under his name shared cockpit views and journeys, but it has become a place for tributes since the tragedy. No widely promoted professional or personal accounts were highlighted in news coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Antoine Forest at the time of the crash?
He was 30 years old.
Where was Antoine Forest from?
He was from Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada, near Montreal.
What was Antoine Forestās role in the Air Canada Express flight?
He served as a First Officer (some early reports referred to him in a captain capacity for the flight) on Flight 8646 from Montreal to New York.
Who was the other pilot killed alongside Antoine Forest?
The other pilot was Mackenzie Gunther, also a young professional building his airline career.
Conclusion
Antoine Forest lived a life defined by passion for the skies, starting at 16 and pursuing excellence until his final flight. His tragic passing at LaGuardia Airport on March 23, 2026, alongside Mackenzie Gunther, has touched the aviation community and beyond, reminding us of the dedication pilots bring to keeping passengers safe every day. Tributes continue to honor his hard work, love of flying, and bright spirit.
If this Antoine Forest biography 2026 helped provide context on his story, please share it to remember his contribution and support calls for improved runway safety.
