Former ‘DWTS’ expert Charlotte Jørgensen reveals she survived the LaGuardia crash
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Former “Dancing with the Stars” champion Charlotte Jørgensen is speaking out after surviving the deadly Air Canada plane crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
On March 22, two pilots were killed when an Air Canada Express regional flight carrying 72 passengers and four crew collided with a Port Authority fire truck while landing on Runway 4 at the airport.
In an emotional Instagram post he shared on Sunday, Jørgensen revealed that he was a passenger on the plane and spoke about the terrifying experience and how he dealt with its consequences.
AIR CANADA PASSENGER SAYS PILOT ‘DID THE BEST THEY COULD,’ DESCRIBE DEADLY IMPACT
“A week ago tonight, after a great weekend in Montreal, I boarded Air Canada 8646 headed to La Guardia NYC. By now, most of you have probably heard about the collision with the fire truck on the runway,” the 54-year-old professional dancer wrote alongside a photo of the collision that appeared to be taken on the tarmac.
Former “Dancing with the Stars” producer Charlotte Jørgensen revealed that she survived the fatal crash on LaGuardia Road. (Adam Larkey/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; Charlotte Jorgensen Instagram)
He continued, “I owe my life to two brave souls Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther – they gave so much to keep us all alive…. I owe them and my thoughts are with their families.”
“At night I didn’t feel anything as the adrenaline was running through my body but the following days were difficult – physically, mentally and emotionally,” said Jørgensen.
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“I’m home now, and Nelson and Vivianna are taking good care of me, he added. “I’m going to take some time to recover. Thank you for all the love I have received and sending you more warm hugs.
“Thank you to my @dancingwiththestars family for your care and concern.”
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Two pilots have died after an Air Canada plane collided with a Port Authority fire truck. (Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images)
The Danish native’s post was met with dozens of supportive comments, including a message from Lisa O’Hurley, the wife of Jørgensen’s former dance partner, actor John O’Hurley.
“Charlotte I’m so glad you’re safe and a heartfelt gesture of gratitude from someone out there,” Lisa wrote. “Like [my son] Will is now a pilot which was very hard to see. These two men are heroes.”
In 2005, Jørgensen and O’Hurley on the first season of “Dancing with the Stars.” The pair finished as runners-up in the final episode.
However, their loss to “General Hospital” star Kelly Monaco and pro Alec Mazo caused a major backlash from viewers, who felt that O’Hurley and Jørgensen were stronger dancers and pointed out that they both received higher scores than Monaco and Mazo throughout the season.
This controversy led ABC to make the unprecedented decision to set up a special repeat episode between the final two pairs, giving viewers another chance to vote, resulting in O’Hurley and Jørgensen winning.
Jørgensen and actor John O’Hurley competed on the first season of “DWTS” in 2005. (Content by Adam Larkey/Disney General Entertainment via Getty Images)
In November 2025, Jørgensen returned to the ballroom special “Dancing with the Stars”” for 20 years, joining five other experts from the first season including Mazo, Edyta Śliwińska, Ashly DelGrosso, Louis van Amstel and Jonathan Roberts.
He joined the group for a celebratory opening number honoring the show’s first season and its original stars, which was recreated by “DWTS” judge and former expert Derek Hough.
“After taking time to reflect on all the feelings [were] involved in returning to DWTS and after 20 years here are a few snapshots to share,” Jørgensen wrote on Instagram at the time. “Thank you @derekhough for the great choreography; @hayley.erbert for your super strength with a pregnant belly.
The two were initially runners-up but later won the rematch special. (Content by Adam Larkey/Disney General Entertainment via Getty Images)
Big thanks to @dancingwiththestars for the invite and my fellow OGs for sharing the crazy ride too — I’ll dance with you guys anytime (thanks Jrob).
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Jørgensen returned to the ballroom special “Dancing with the Stars”” for 20 years (Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images)
In total, more than 40 people were injured in the crash, including passengers, crew and two members of the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) fire truck, who were responding to another incident at the time of the collision.
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Most of the injured have been released from hospital, with a small number remaining under medical care in the days following the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the accident is still under investigation.
