In a dramatic incident at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, an Air Canada plane caught fire shortly after landing due to a landing gear malfunction. This event occurred just hours after a deadly plane crash in South Korea, heightening global aviation concerns.
Landing Gear Malfunction Sparks Fire
Air Canada Flight 2259, operated by PAL Airlines, had just completed its journey from St. John’s, Newfoundland, when it encountered a significant issue with its landing gear. Reports suggest that one of the aircraft’s tires failed to deploy properly, causing an imbalance that led the plane’s wing to scrape against the runway. This friction ignited a fire that quickly spread across part of the aircraft.
Passenger Account of the Incident
Nikki Valentine, a passenger on board, recounted the terrifying moments as the aircraft descended. “The plane started to sit at about a 20-degree angle to the left. We heard a loud crash-like noise as the wing scraped along the pavement, followed by fire on the left side and smoke coming into the windows,” she said. The plane shook violently, adding to the chaos inside the cabin.
Swift Emergency Response
Emergency services were on the scene almost immediately, and all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated. Authorities have not reported any injuries or fatalities. The runway was temporarily closed as a precaution, but operations have resumed.
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🚨 JUST IN: Air Canada flight lands in Halifax with a broken landing gear, resulting in the wing scraping the runway causing a fire
The airport is currently CLOSED.
This comes just hours after a Boeing 737 attempted a landing without warning extending its gear in South Korea,… pic.twitter.com/Givga3hDEn
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 29, 2024
Ongoing Investigation Into Cause
Airport authorities have confirmed the incident and assured the public that a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. The airport and the airline are working together to ensure safety protocols are reviewed and reinforced.
A Tragic Day for Aviation
This incident comes mere hours after a devastating crash in South Korea involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, which claimed the lives of at least 120 people. The timing of the two events has raised concerns over aviation safety.
As investigations continue into both incidents, the global aviation community is on high alert, with both airlines and regulators expected to tighten safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
