An Air Canada plane carrying 73 passengers made an emergency landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Saturday evening after suffering a suspected “landing gear malfunction.”
Air Canada flight AC2259, from St. John’s, Newfoundland, was reportedly unable to reach the terminal during descent at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Nova Scotia, according to a press release from the airline sent to CNN, first reported by CBC.
During landing, the wing of the plane, a Havilland DHC-8-402, “scratched the runway” and “caught fire”, according to what the FL360aero aviation platform reports on X.
The flight was operated by partner airline PAL Airlines and carried 73 passengers, according to the release.
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board told CNN the plane “skidded a reasonable distance.”
The passengers were reportedly offloaded from a bus and the airline reported no injuries.
“We are aware that this incident has been destabilizing for customers and we remain available to help them,” Air Canada said in its press release.
In contrast, the incident caused the closure of the airfield at Halifax Airport for about 90 minutes, Halifax International Airport Authority spokesperson Tiffany Chase said via a press release.
Four flights to Halifax Airport were reportedly “diverted,” as well as some “cancellations and delays while the airfield was closed,” the spokesperson added.
This incident will be investigated by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, it has been confirmed.
The cause of the plane’s alleged landing gear malfunction issue has still not been confirmed by Air Canada.
“Out of respect for the investigative process, we cannot speculate and have no additional information to provide at this time,” the airline wrote.
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