One of the pilots killed in Sunday’s Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Antoine Forest, the Toronto Star reported Monday.
Forest and another pilot were the only fatalities in the horror Queens accident, which also injured scores of passengers and other crew members, as well as two Port Authority cops, according to officials.
“These were two young men at the start of their careers so it’s an absolute tragedy,” FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said at an afternoon press conference, referring to the pilots.
The Port Authority cops had been driving a fire truck across the runway after it received the OK from an air-traffic controller to respond to another plane reporting an odor aboard.
The Air Canada jet also got the OK from the same air-traffic controller around the same time to land — setting the plane on a collision course with the truck.
About 40 of the 70 Air Canada passengers and surviving crew members were taken to the hospital, with many suffering only minor injuries. Most victims were released by Monday morning.
The Air Line Pilots Association remembered the two pilots as being dedicated to their passengers’ safety.
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“The loss of our two fellow crewmembers onboard Flight 8646 is a profound tragedy,” union President Jason Ambrosi said in a statement.
The pilots worked for Jazz Aviation LP, which was operating as Air Canada Express, according to the company.
“Today is an incredibly difficult day for our airline, our employees, and most importantly, the families and loved ones of those affected by the accident involving flight 8646,” said Jazz Aviation President Doug Clarke.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our two pilots and our unwavering support to those who have been injured.”
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