Mackenzie Gunther served as the First Officer aboard Air Canada Express Flight 8646, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operating from Montreal to New York.

A graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology program at Seneca Polytechnic in 2023, Gunther entered the aviation industry through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, joining Jazz Aviation immediately after completing his studies.

He was at the early stages of what colleagues and instructors described as a promising professional flying career.

Prior to this, he received aviation training at Cégep de Chicoutimi and gained experience with regional operators, including Air Saguenay and Exact Air.

Gunther was among the crew members killed in the fatal runway collision at LaGuardia Airport, alongside Captain Antoine Forest, 30, of Coteau-du-Lac, Québec.

The aircraft had landed and was decelerating on the runway when it collided with a Port Authority fire truck.

Despite the catastrophic nature of the crash, passengers later credited the flight crew’s actions in the final moments—particularly rapid braking—with helping to reduce the overall severity of the incident and prevent a higher loss of life.

In the wake of the tragedy, Bryan Bedford referred to the two pilots as “two young men at the start of their careers,” underscoring the profound loss to the aviation community.

Seneca Polytechnic also issued a formal statement mourning Gunther’s death, extending condolences to his family, friends, classmates, and colleagues.

In tribute, flags across Seneca campuses were lowered to half-mast.

Following the incident, a significant amount of misinformation circulated online regarding Gunther’s identity.

In the immediate aftermath, some reports incorrectly identified him as a woman, and unrelated images were widely shared by various outlets and social media accounts.

These inaccuracies prompted colleagues and members of the aviation community to call for the removal of incorrect photos and the dissemination of verified information.

At present, only limited confirmed public details and imagery have been released by credible sources.

Captain Antoine Forest, who also lost his life in the crash, was a Québec native who began flying at a young age and built his career through regional aviation before advancing to the flight deck of a commercial regional jet.

Together, both pilots represented a new generation of aviation professionals whose careers were tragically cut short.

The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the collision. Multiple passengers sustained injuries, though many have since been treated and released from hospital.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under active investigation as federal authorities work to determine the precise sequence of events and contributing factors.

As the aviation community continues to process this loss, tributes have poured in from colleagues, institutions, and industry professionals worldwide.

Rest in peace, Mackenzie Gunther and Antoine Forest.

Members of the global aviation community are encouraged to share messages of support and solidarity for the families, friends, and colleagues of both pilots during this difficult time.