An Air Canada flight attendant survived a fatal crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, thanks to her seating position on the aircraft. Solange Tremblay, the flight attendant, was propelled over 109 yards away from the plane when her seat was ejected during the incident. She sustained multiple fractures and is set to undergo surgery for a broken leg at a hospital.
Reportedly in stable condition, Tremblay’s daughter, Sarah Lepine, described the event as a miraculous escape. Lepine mentioned, “It’s a complete miracle. At the moment of impact, her seat was ejected more than a hundred meters from the plane.” TV Nouvelles quoted Lepine saying, “They found her still strapped into her seat. She had a guardian angel watching over her. It could have been much worse.”
It was revealed that Tremblay was seated behind the pilot during the crash, which tragically claimed the lives of both the pilot and co-pilot. The pilot, identified as Antoine Forest, 30, from Quebec, had recently joined Jazz Aviation in 2022, accompanied by co-pilot Mackenzie Gunther.
The incident on Sunday resulted in around 40 individuals needing medical attention at a local hospital. The airport remained closed until Monday afternoon as investigators probed the events leading up to the crash. Jason Ambrosi, the president of the Air Lines Pilots Association, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two crew members and extended sympathies to their families and colleagues at Jazz Aviation.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney commented on the crash, calling it “deeply saddening.” A transmission indicated that air traffic controllers attempted to divert incoming traffic during the collision.
Following the crash, audio recordings captured air controllers discussing the tragic event. Expressions of regret and acknowledgment of the challenging circumstances were heard among the controllers.