Image Credit: @nicksortor on X
An Air Canada flight skidded off the runway and caught fire during landing at Halifax Stanfield Airport. Passengers were safely evacuated despite minor injuries. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the suspected landing gear failure that caused the incident, which disrupted operations and led to flight delays and diversions.
A landing mishap involving Air Canada Flight 2259 disrupted operations at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Saturday night. The flight, operated by PAL Airlines and arriving from St. John’s, skidded off the runway during landing, resulting in part of the aircraft catching fire.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. Atlantic Time and involved 73 passengers and crew. Passengers were evacuated within minutes after the aircraft came to a halt. While Air Canada confirmed no major injuries, minor injuries were reported by local authorities.
Passenger Nikki Valentine described the ordeal, citing an issue with the landing gear that caused the aircraft to tilt and skid. Smoke and flames were visible on the left side of the plane, prompting a swift but orderly evacuation.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating the incident, which involved a de Havilland DHC-8-402 aircraft. Officials suspect a landing gear failure as the cause.
The airport closed temporarily, diverting four flights and delaying or canceling several others. One runway has since reopened, though the affected aircraft remains on the closed runway.
