Air Canada Jazz Crash: Flight Attendant Survives 100ft Ejection

A flight attendant on an Air Canada Jazz flight survived a collision with a fire truck at Recent York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday, being ejected more than 100 metres from the aircraft while still secured in her jump seat. The incident, which occurred as the CRJ-900 jet was landing, resulted in the deaths of both pilots.

Solange Tremblay, the flight attendant, was described as having experienced a “complete miracle” by her daughter, Sarah Lépine, in an interview with Quebec’s TVA News. “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 said. Tremblay sustained multiple bone fractures and is undergoing surgery for a broken leg, according to her daughter.

The Air Canada Express flight, operated by Jazz Aviation, collided with a fire truck on the runway. Nine people were transported to hospitals with injuries in addition to Tremblay. Antoine Forest, 30, of Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, was identified by TVA as one of the pilots who died in the crash. He had joined Jazz Aviation in 2022.

Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, expressed profound sadness over the loss of the two pilots. “The loss of our two fellow crew members onboard Flight 8646 is a profound tragedy,” Ambrosi stated. “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 released following the incident reveal a tense exchange moments before the collision. A controller issued a clearance for a vehicle to cross a portion of the runway, then immediately attempted to halt its progress. “Stop, Truck 1. Stop,” the controller can be heard saying. Subsequent audio from LiveATC depicts controllers discussing the aftermath of the crash, with one controller describing the impact as “wasn’t good to watch.” Another controller acknowledged attempting to intervene, referencing a prior emergency, and questioning whether a mistake had been made. A colleague responded, “Nah, man, you did the best you could.”

Jazz Aviation is an independent regional airline owned by Chorus Aviation, operating short-haul flights on behalf of Air Canada under the Air Canada Express brand. Air Canada has not yet issued a statement regarding Tremblay’s condition.

Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, called the collision “deeply saddening.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently inspecting the wreckage at LaGuardia Airport.