An Air Canada Express flight experienced significant issues upon landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on the night of December 28. Flight AC2259, operated by PAL Airlines, arrived from St. John’s, Newfoundland, with 73 passengers on board when it faced suspected landing gear problems. Reports indicate the aircraft skidded along the runway and even caught fire.
Passengers described the tense moments as flames were seen shooting from the left wing of the plane. One passenger, Nikki Valentine, recounted her harrowing experience, stating, "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," highlighting the panic among those on board.
The aircraft was unable to reach the terminal, prompting Air Canada staff to arrange for buses to transport passengers safely away from the plane. The incident drew immediate attention from aviation authorities, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada dispatched investigators to the scene to determine the cause of the malfunction.
Aden O'Callaghan, another passenger, captured the chaos on video. He exclaimed, "Almost just f---ing died, boys," illustrating the shock and fear experienced by many. According to O'Callaghan, it was the suspected landing gear failure which sparked the flames and caused the plane to skid on the runway for more than 15 seconds.
"The landing gear failure led to the fire and also resulted in the plane skidding on the runway for more than 15 seconds," he reported. Passengers reported hearing what sounded like crashing noises as the plane downwards tilted awkwardly during the landing process. O'Callaghan told media outlets he felt concussed and experienced soreness the following day but confirmed he was otherwise okay after such a terrifying event.
The airport authorities responded swiftly, temporarily closing the airfield for about 90 minutes, diverting four flights, and issuing several cancellations as they managed the incident. Tiffany Chase, spokesperson for the Halifax International Airport Authority, confirmed the opening of one runway before resuming normal operations. She stated, "Everyone on board had exited the plane, and we were actively managing the situation." Emergency crews quickly moved to extinguish the flames on the aircraft, ensuring the safety of all passengers.
Air Canada expressed its concern following the unsettling incident, emphasizing their commitment to assist passengers post-event. "We appreciated this incident was unsettling for customers, and we remain available to assist them," said Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick.
The cause of the suspected landing gear issue remains unknown. Air Canada refrained from speculating, stating, "Out of respect for the investigative process we cannot speculate and have no additional information to provide at this time." This approach aligns with industry standards where safety remains the top priority during investigations involving incidents of this nature.
This incident occurred against the backdrop of more severe aviation mishaps. Just hours after the Air Canada event, another aircraft from Jeju Air crashed during landing at Muan International Airport, tragically killing 179 people. Officials compared the seriousness of the incidents, noting the swift and effective handling of the Halifax emergency, which resulted without injury. Such incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of air travel and the rigorous safety protocols airlines must uphold.
With the aircraft remaining on the runway, Air Canada awaited the release from the Transportation Safety Board to retrieve personal belongings left behind by passengers. Investigators are expected to conduct thorough examinations, combining input from the flight data recorders and maintenance logs to ascertain what exactly led to the alarming situation.
Passengers of Flight AC2259 have likely been left shaken by the experience, not only recounting the frights of the landing but also pondering the safety of air travel. Such incidents serve as stark reminders of the inherent risks involved, even as air travel continues to be one of the safest modes of transportation when protocols are adhered to stringently.