No serious injuries in a terrifying experience for nearly 80 passengers after an emergency landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia.
The Air Canada flight had trouble with its landing gear and videos posted to social media show flames shooting out from the wing.
The plane operates under Provincial Airlines (PAL). When it landed, passengers and crew had to leave the plane on the runway.
It shut down the airport temporarily around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday but operations resumed on the second runway.
In a statement to our newsroom, Tiffany Chase with the Halifax Airport Authority says their 24/7 emergency services team sprang into action and helped passengers and crew get off the plane.
“Our airfield was closed briefly for about 90 minutes on Saturday evening (both runways), but one of our runways was subsequently cleared to resume regular flight operations. Four flights were diverted and there were a handful of cancellations and delays while the airfield was closed. “
The Transportation Safety Board cleared the scene on Sunday giving the airport the ability to move the plane and reppare on their way to the crash site to begin their work to find out what happened.
The flight had 77 people on board, including crew.
Some flights may be delayed
Before heading to the airport, passengers are asked to check their flight status through the airport’s website, or through their airline.
Several flights are already delayed.
Airline’s second emergency in recent months
PAL was founded in St. John’s Newfoundland over 45 years ago and operates in eastern Canada.
This is the second emergency incident from the airline in as many months.
On the morning of Oct. 31, a plane took off for the Halifax airport but shortly after taking flight, requested an emergency landing.
According to a statement from PAL there was something wrong with one of the plane’s tires, but it managed to land safely.
However, Sara Stavnes who was a passenger on the flight, told our newsroom one of the wheels had come loose and started wobbling while the plane was driving on the runway.
A picture she took shows one of the wheels was deflated.
Premier thankful for quick response
“I am relieved to hear there are no serious injuries being reported,” said Premier Tim Houston. “I can only imagine this was a terrifying experience for the passengers and their families.”
Houston went on to thank aircraft staff, airport staff and first responders for their quick reaction to the crash.
With files from Steve MacArthur and Jacob Moore.
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