Pilots Killed In Deadly Collision With Fire Truck At LaGuardia Identified: Reports

NEW YORK — The pilots killed in a deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport Sunday night have been identified, according to multiple reports.

A post by the Ville de Coteau-du-Lac on Facebook read: "It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Antoine Forest, from Coteau-du-Lac. According to information reported by TVA News, this happened during the tragic crash of ACA Flight 8646 at LaGuardia Airport in New York. The City of Coteau-du-Lac and the members of the municipal council would like to offer their deepest condolences to his family, relatives and friends. We wish them all the comfort they need to get through this ordeal."

MacKenzie Gunther, the first officer on the flight, also died, according to Radio-Canada.

Both worked for Jazz Aviation, the New York Post reported.

Jass Aviation was operating the flight, according to Air Canada.

The plane was racing about 100 miles per hour down the runway before colliding with a fire truck at LaGuardia Sunday night, killing two and injuring others, an expert said.

A representative for Flightradar24 confirmed the plane's approximate speed with Patch, based on granular data.

On Monday afternoon, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the airport was once again open after the tragedy.

According to the Port Authority, the airport reopened at 2 p.m.

"As operations resume, travelers should expect residual delays and cancellations," the Port Authority said. "Travelers are strongly encouraged to check with their carrier before departing for the airport."

In other updates, audio released indicates that an air traffic controller tried desperately to stop the crash.

Chilling new dispatch audio update posted by CBS reveals the air traffic controller approving a firetruck to cross the runway — then ordering it to stop up to 10 times with no response.

"Stop, stop truck, stop!" the audio states, according to the CBS video.

After the crash, another voice in the exchange said: "That wasn't good to watch."

Then, the air traffic controller said he had been in the midst of a different emergency prior to the crash: "We were dealing with an emergency earlier. I messed up," he said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said at about 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada was involved in an incident on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in which the aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle that was responding to a separate incident.

Both the pilot and co-pilot of the Jazz Aviation flight were pronounced deceased, the Port Authority said.

Additionally, 41 people were transported to the hospital; 39 people on the aircraft and two ARFF officers, the Port Authority said.

The airport will remain closed until at least 2 p.m. Monday to allow for a thorough investigation, the Port Authority said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is on site, the Port Authority said.

"The Port Authority Police Department is working closely with our airline partners as well as federal authorities, and will provide additional updates as more details become available," a Port Authority statement said.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Canada Express Flight 8646 struck an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle after landing on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in New York.

The CRJ-900 was arriving from Montreal, the FAA said.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB is in charge of the investigation and will provide all updates, officials said.

Air Canada said that a Jazz Aviation Mitsubishi CRJ-900 was involved in the collision with the fire truck upon landing.

Flight AC8646, operated by Air Canada Express carrier Jazz Aviation LP (Jazz), originated from Montreal, the airline said.

"The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the captain and the first officer were killed in this accident. We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Jazz employees, and our deepest condolences go out to the entire Jazz community and their families," Air Canada said.

Family and friends who need information about passengers on Air Canada Express flight AC8646 were told to telephone Air Canada at 1-800-961-7099.

This is a developing story and will be updated.