In the wake of the devastating crash at LaGuardia Airport, Mackenzie Gunther has been identified as one of the Air Canada pilots who lost his life — a revelation that has only deepened the heartbreak surrounding the tragedy.
The second Air Canada pilot killed in Sunday night’s plane crash at LaGuardia Airport has been identified as Mackenzie Gunther, according to reports.
Gunther was the first officer alongside pilot Antoine Forest on Air Canada Express Flight 8646 when it collided with a Port Authority fire truck just after landing around 11:40 p.m., Radio-Canada reported.
The two pilots died after the Air Canada jet was given the go-ahead to land on Runway 4 — at the same time that Port Authority cops were cleared to drive their fire truck across the same runway while responding to a separate emergency.
Gunther graduated from the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology program at Seneca Polytechnic in Canada in 2023, the school announced in a statement.
The ambitious grad began working as a professional pilot “immediately” after completing the program, which is based at the school’s Peterborough, Ontario, campus.
“Through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, he joined Jazz Aviation immediately after graduation and began his professional flying career,” Seneca Polytechnic wrote.
“Seneca sends our deepest condolences to Mr. Gunther’s family and friends, and to his former colleagues and professors. He will be deeply missed.”
Harrowing video captured the jet barrelling into the truck, leaving it completely mangled and toppled onto its side, and obliterating the front of the aircraft.
An audio recording caught an air traffic controller frantically yelling “Stop, stop, stop, stop!” before the deadly impact.
Runway 4, where the tragic collision unfolded, is expected to remain closed for days as officials work to clear the “tremendous” amount of debris, officials said on Monday.
Roughly 40 of the 70 passengers and surviving crew members were taken to the hospital, with many suffering only minor injuries. Most victims were released by Monday morning.
Two Port Authority officers on the rescue truck, as well as flight attendant Solange Tremblay, who was violently thrown out of the aircraft while still strapped in her seat, miraculously survived.
The pilots worked for Jazz Aviation LP, which was operating as Air Canada Express, according to the company.
The Air Line Pilots Association remembered Gunther and Forest as two pilots dedicated to passenger safety.
“The loss of our two fellow crewmembers onboard Flight 8646 is a profound tragedy,” union President Jason Ambrosi said in a statement.
“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.”
Flags at Seneca Polytechnic’s campuses will be lowered to half-mast on Tuesday in honor of Gunther.
Counseling services will be available at the school’s Peterborough campus for those coping with the “tragic news,” the college announced.
