A PAL Airlines aircraft operating as Air Canada flight AC2259 made a dramatic emergency landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport following a landing gear malfunction, with all passengers and crew emerging unharmed.
The incident occurred around 9:30 PM Atlantic Time when the aircraft, arriving from St. John’s, Newfoundland, experienced issues with its landing gear.
According to eyewitnesses, the plane tilted significantly during the landing, causing its wing to scrape along the runway.
“The plane started to sit at about a 20-degree angle to the left and, as that happened, we heard a pretty loud—what almost sounded like a crash sound—as the wing of the plane started to skid along the pavement, along with what I presume was the engine,” passenger Nikki Valentine told CBC News.
Videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft’s wings making contact with the runway, resulting in sparks and a fire during the landing sequence.
Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Halifax Airport officials confirmed the incident, stating that all passengers were safely evacuated and examined by paramedics as a precautionary measure.
The airport temporarily suspended operations, though one runway was reopened shortly after the incident.
Another passenger, speaking to CBC News, described the harrowing moments during the landing: “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.”
The incident has sparked discussions about aviation safety, particularly in light of recent accidents worldwide, including incidents at Muan International Airport in South Korea and Aktau, Kazakhstan.
Aviation authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the landing gear malfunction.
The emergency landing at Halifax Airport demonstrated the effectiveness of emergency protocols and quick response from both flight crew and ground emergency services, preventing what could have been a more serious incident.
