A terrifying incident unfolded at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia on Saturday night when an Air Canada Express flight experienced a suspected landing gear issue after arriving from St. John’s, Newfoundland.
73 Passengers Evacuated After Plane Skids Down Runway
The flight, operated by partner PAL Airlines, was carrying 73 passengers when it landed with a thud.
The plane, a De Havilland DHC-8-402, skidded down the runway for a significant distance, with flames visible on the left side of the aircraft and smoke seeping into the windows. Passengers were shaken but luckily, no one was injured.
Eyewitness Account: “The Plane Shook Quite a Bit… We Saw Flames”
Passenger Nikki Valentine described the harrowing experience to CNN newsgathering partner CBC: “The plane shook quite a bit and we started seeing fire on the left side of the plane and smoke started coming in the windows.”
Halifax Incident Mirrors Deadly Crash in South Korea
The Halifax incident bears unsettling similarities to a far more severe and deadly crash in South Korea on Sunday morning, which killed 179 people. In both cases, a landing gear malfunction appears likely.
Airport Closed for 90 Minutes, Flights Diverted
The incident prompted the closure of the airfield for about 90 minutes, with one of its two runways eventually cleared for flight operations. Four flights were diverted, and several others were cancelled or delayed.
Investigation Underway
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the incident, with a team of investigators deployed to the airport. The cause of the suspected landing gear issue remains unknown, and Air Canada is waiting for the TSB to release the aircraft before returning customers’ belongings.
Air Canada Statement: “We Appreciate This Incident Was Unsettling for Customers”
While no one was hurt, Air Canada acknowledged the incident’s impact on passengers, saying, “We appreciated this incident was unsettling for customers and we remain available to assist them.”