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A PAL Airlines-operated flight, designated as Air Canada AC2259, made an emergency landing at Halifax Airport in Nova Scotia after a malfunction in its landing gear.
The incident unfolded around 9:30 PM Atlantic Time, as reported by CBC News on Sunday.
During the landing, the aircraft skidded along the tarmac, causing panic among passengers. Nikki Valentine, one of the passengers, described the terrifying moments, noting how the plane tilted sharply to the left at about a 20-degree angle.
“As the plane tipped, we heard a loud crash-like sound. The wing scraped the pavement, and I believe the engine was impacted too,” Valentine shared with CBC News.
Dramatic footage circulating online showed the aircraft’s wing scraping along the runway, igniting a fire. Fortunately, all passengers and crew escaped without injuries.
The emergency landing at Halifax sparked widespread discussion on social media, with some users drawing comparisons to a recent tragedy in South Korea. A flight from Thailand to Muan International Airport had veered off the runway, burst into flames, and resulted in 120 fatalities.
“Unbelievable. It seems miraculous that everyone survived,” one user remarked about the Halifax landing. Another questioned the increasing frequency of aviation accidents, asking, “Two major landing gear failures in hours? Is this mechanical or something more concerning? We need answers urgently.”
The Halifax incident follows several other aviation accidents. In Kazakhstan, an Embraer 190 operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed in Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors. Additionally, Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok to Muan experienced a landing gear failure, leading to a runway crash with no fatalities among the 181 onboard.
According to Deccan Chronicles, the Halifax flight originated in St. John’s, Newfoundland, before skidding along the runway upon landing. The impact led to a portion of the aircraft catching fire. A statement from Halifax Airport, cited by CBC News, confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated and received medical evaluations.
The airport temporarily halted operations on Saturday night but managed to reopen one runway shortly after.
One passenger interviewed by CBC News recounted how a tire failure during the landing caused the plane to tip and skid. “The plane shook violently. We saw fire on the left side and smoke seeping through the windows,” she said.
Emergency crews responded swiftly, ensuring the safety of everyone onboard.
