By Zoe Papadakis | Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Charlotte Jorgensen, a professional dancer who appeared on the first season of “Dancing With the Stars,” revealed that she was aboard Air Canada Flight 8646 when it crashed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on March 22.
The incident left two pilots dead and dozens injured.
In an Instagram post, Jorgensen described both the immediate shock and the difficult days that followed. She said she had boarded the flight after a “fabulous weekend in Montreal,” unaware of what was to come.
The CRJ-900 aircraft was reportedly carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. It collided with a fire truck that had been responding to reports of an unknown odor in another plane’s cockpit.
Authorities reported that 39 individuals from the aircraft and two officers from the fire truck were taken to hospitals, though most have since been released.
Jorgensen pointed to the actions of Captain Antoine Forest and first officer Mackenzie Gunther, who died in the crash, as the reason many survived. “They made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live… I am indebted to them and my thoughts are with their families,” she wrote.
She said that in the moment, she did not fully process what had happened. “On the night I felt nothing as adrenaline was rushing through my body,” she stated of the crash.
That changed in the days afterward, as the physical and emotional toll became clearer. “The days after have been tough — physically, mentally and emotionally,” she wrote.
Now recovering at home, Jorgensen said she is being cared for by loved ones and plans to take time to heal. “I am grateful for all the love I have received and I send you all an extra warm hug,” she added, also thanking her “Dancing With the Stars” family for their “care and concern.”
The crash has also drawn attention to developments within Air Canada’s leadership. The airline confirmed that CEO Michael Rousseau will step down by the end of its third quarter in a statement released Monday.
Rousseau faced criticism after delivering a condolence message in English only, despite French being an official language in Canada and Forest being from French-speaking Quebec. He later apologized, saying he was unable to express himself “adequately” in French despite taking lessons.
Announcing his retirement, Rousseau said it had been a “great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada.” “I look forward to supporting our company during this important transition period,” he added.
