Air Canada Flight Attendant Survives Ejection in LaGuardia Crash
In a harrowing incident at New York's LaGuardia airport, an Air Canada flight attendant was ejected more than 100 metres from a plane during a collision, surviving what her family describes as a "complete miracle". The crash, which occurred on Sunday, resulted in the tragic deaths of both pilots and sent nine people to hospital with injuries.
Details of the Incident
The CRJ-900 jet, operated by Jazz Aviation under the Air Canada Express brand, collided with a fire truck upon landing. Among those injured was Solange Tremblay, a flight attendant with 26 years of service at Jazz. According to her daughter, Sarah Lépine, Tremblay was still strapped into her seat when she was found after being ejected from the aircraft.
"It's a complete miracle. At the moment of impact, her seat was ejected more than 100 metres from the plane. They found her and she was still strapped into her seat," Lépine told Quebec's TVA News. "She had a guardian angel watching over her. It could have been much worse."
Tremblay suffered multiple bone fractures and underwent surgery for a broken leg. Her survival stands in stark contrast to the fate of the pilots, identified as Antoine Forest, 30, and Mackenzie Gunther, both of whom perished in the crash.
Response and Investigation
Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, expressed profound sorrow over the loss. "The loss of our two fellow crew members onboard Flight 8646 is a profound tragedy," he said. "These pilots dedicated their careers to the safe transport of passengers, and we are all thinking of their families, loved ones, and colleagues at Jazz Aviation during this devastating time."
Air traffic control recordings reveal moments of chaos prior to the collision. Controllers can be heard attempting to stop a vehicle from crossing the runway and divert incoming aircraft. In one transmission, a controller says, "Stop, Truck 1. Stop," followed by discussions after the impact where one controller admitted, "I messed up," though another reassured them, "Nah, man, you did the best you could."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the collision as "deeply saddening", highlighting the broader impact of the tragedy. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the wreckage, with personnel seen inspecting the scene in the aftermath.
Background and Context
Jazz Aviation, owned by Chorus Aviation, is an independent regional airline that operates short-haul flights for Air Canada. Tremblay, based in Montreal, began her career with Jazz 26 years ago, as noted on her social media profile. While Air Canada has not issued a formal statement on Tremblay, several staff members have confirmed details of the incident to media outlets.
The crash underscores ongoing concerns about airport safety and ground vehicle operations. With nine individuals hospitalised and two lives lost, this event has sparked discussions on emergency protocols and runway management at major airports like LaGuardia.
