City of Peterborough Mourns Lives Lost From LaGuardia Incident; Late Pilot Trained at Peterborough Airport

The City of Peterborough mourns the loss of two pilots who lost their lives at LaGuardia Airport in New York, N.Y., including one who trained at Peterborough Airport, in an incident that occurred on Sunday night.

City Hall has flown its flags at half-mast to mourn the loss of those involved at LaGuardia Airport. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Mayor Jeff Leal has issued the following statement:

“On behalf of the City of Peterborough, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two pilots who tragically died in the incident at LaGuardia Airport. 

"This loss is felt especially close to home, as one of the pilots trained at Seneca Polytechnic’s School of Aviation located at the Peterborough Regional Airport. Our community takes great pride in supporting the next generation of aviation professionals, and we share in the grief of all those connected to this promising individual. 

"I have asked that the City’s flags be flown at half mast. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”

The incident occurred when an airplane collided with a fire truck, killing two pilots and injuring at least a dozen.

The Seneca alumnus pilot was identified as Mackenzie Gunther. According to the institute, he graduated from the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology program in 2023. Through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, Gunther joined Jazz Aviation immediately after graduation, beginning his professional flying career.

Gunther was the First Officer on the flight, operating as Air Canada Express, from Montréal to New York.

According to Seneca’s website, the campus has already flown its flags at half-mast in memorandum of Gunther’s passing.

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