Former Dancing With the Stars pro Charlotte Jørgensen is speaking out after being on the Air Canada plane that collided with a Port Authority vehicle at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
“A week ago tonight, after a fabulous weekend in Montreal, I boarded Air Canada 8646 bound for La Guardia NYC,” Jørgensen wrote via Instagram on Sunday, March 29. “By now, probably most of you have heard of the collision that happened with a firetruck on the runway. I owe my life to two brave souls Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther — they made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live…. I am indebted to them and my thoughts are with their families🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️.”
She continued, “On the night I felt nothing as adrenaline was rushing through my body but the days after [have] been tough — physically, mentally and emotionally. I am at home now, and Nelson and Vivianna are taking good care of me. I will be taking time to heal. I am grateful for all the love I have received and I send you all an extra warm hug🫂🙏❤️.”
Jørgensen concluded her message by sharing her gratitude for DWTS, where she was a pro on season 1. (Jørgensen and John O’Hurley were runners-up on the first-ever season of DWTS.)
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“Thank you to my @dancingwiththestars family for your care and concern🙏🙏,” she wrote.
Alongside the post, Jørgensen shared a photo of passengers looking at the Air Canada flight on the runway. In the comments section, Jørgensen received supportive messages from fans and loved ones.
“Charlotte I’m so happy you are safe and what a heartfelt gesture of gratitude from someone actually there,” John’s wife, Lisa O’Hurley, wrote. “As [my son] Will is now a pilot that was very hard to see. These two men are heroes.”
News broke on March 22 that there was a collision at LaGuardia Airport in New York, with two pilots dead and 41 people taken to a hospital with injuries. The New York Times reported that no passengers were killed, with only five people remaining in the hospital by the end of the week. The National Transportation Security Board is investigating what air traffic control issue caused the crash.
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Months earlier, Jørgensen returned to the DWTS ballroom in November 2025 to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary. She was joined by the five other DWTS pros from the original season — Alec Mazo, Ashly DelGrosso, Jonathan Roberts, Edyta Śliwińska and Louis van Amstel — to perform a stunning routine choreographed by judge and former pro Derek Hough.
“After taking time to reflect upon all the emotions that [were] involved with returning to DWTS again after 20 years here are a few snaps to share,” Jørgensen wrote via Instagram at the time. “Thank you @derekhough for the fabulous choreography; @hayley.erbert for your immense energy with pregnant belly 🥰 Sincerest gratitude to @dancingwiththestars for the invite and to my fellow OG’s for sharing the crazy journey once again — I will dance with you guys anytime (thanks Jrob). ❤️❤️❤️ #dwts #dance #dancingthroughlife.”
