Air Canada Flight Emergency Causes Delays at Halifax Airport

An emergency landing incident involving an Air Canada Express flight caused a temporary halt to all flight operations at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Saturday night. The event, which involved a Bombardier Q400 aircraft operated by Pal Airlines, led to significant delays and disruption, though fortunately, there were no fatalities.

Aircraft Incident During Landing
Around 9:30 PM, an Air Canada Express flight arriving from St. John’s encountered serious issues while landing at the airport. The aircraft reportedly suffered a suspected landing gear failure, causing it to skid off the runway and tilt onto its left side. As the aircraft came to a stop, part of the plane caught fire.

Passenger Safety and Minor Injuries Reported
Despite the dramatic scene, there were no fatal injuries. However, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), alongside paramedics, responded to the situation, and minor injuries were reported. All 73 passengers on board were safely off-loaded by bus after the plane was unable to reach the terminal.

Delayed Operations and Airport Resumption
Following the incident, the airport suspended all flight operations temporarily while awaiting clearance for airfield activity. Fortunately, one of the airport’s runways resumed normal operations shortly after, allowing flights to continue.

Investigation Underway into Landing Gear Failure
Air Canada has confirmed that the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation, with officials working to determine the factors that led to the landing gear malfunction and fire. The airline assured the public that safety remains a top priority as the investigation progresses.