Flight AC2259, operated by Air Canada's partner PAL Airlines, faced a dramatic landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia. The flight, originating from St. John's, Newfoundland, carried 73 passengers who witnessed a suspected landing gear issue. This unsettling incident resulted in flames on the aircraft's left side, causing the plane to skid down the runway for a considerable distance. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the airfield closure for approximately 90 minutes affected airport operations.
Passengers disembarked safely using a bus after the landing scare. In response to the incident, Air Canada expressed its understanding of the distress experienced by travelers.
"We appreciated this incident was unsettling for customers and we remain available to assist them," stated Air Canada.
The aircraft's landing gear issue led to significant operational disruptions at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. One of the two runways was cleared for flight operations, while four flights were diverted and several cancellations and delays occurred during the airfield's temporary closure.
"Four flights were diverted and there were a handful of cancellations and delays while the airfield was closed," confirmed Tiffany Chase, spokesperson for the Halifax International Airport Authority.
Passengers recounted their experiences with vivid detail. Nikki Valentine, a passenger on the flight, described the harrowing moments.
"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," she recalled.
Air Canada is currently awaiting clearance from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) to retrieve customers' belongings from the aircraft. The TSB has initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the suspected landing gear malfunction.
"Out of respect for the investigative process we cannot speculate and have no additional information to provide at this time," Air Canada stated, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and cooperation with the investigation.
Peter Fitzpatrick, a spokesperson for Air Canada, confirmed that the aircraft experienced a suspected landing gear issue, but further details remain undisclosed pending the TSB's findings.
