itstargetnews
The airline tells the media that the fire was likely caused by a “suspected landing gear problem”. Passengers and crew exited the aircraft safely. (Credit: Aden O’Callaghan via Storyful)
Flames erupted from the wing of a plane during a landing at a Canadian airport, and a passenger who noticed it outside his window caught it on video.
The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 28 aboard Air Canada Express Flight 2259, operated by Pal Airlines, the airport told X. The flight was arriving from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, and landing at Halifax Stanfield Airport in Nova Scotia.
“He almost just died, guys,” Aden O’Callaghan said from inside the plane while recording.
O’Callaghan told Storyful media that “landing gear failure” caused the fire and also caused the plane to skid on the runway for more than 15 seconds.
ALASKA AIRLINES ISSUING GROUND FLIGHTS, CHANGING CYBER MONDAY ORDERS
Flames could be seen shooting from the wing of a plane during a landing in Canada on December 28, 2024. (Aden O’Callaghan / Storyful)
Air Canada did not immediately respond to an inquiry from FOX Business, however airline spokesperson confirmed to CBC that the plane experienced a “suspected landing gear problem” after arrival. There were an undisclosed number of crew members and 73 passengers on board. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating what happened, CBC said.
Additional images of the scene were captured firefighting efforts.
“The aircraft started to sit at an angle of about 20 degrees to the left and as this happened we heard a fairly loud noise, what almost sounded like a crash sound, as the wing of the plane started sliding down the sidewalk, along with what I assume was the engine,” said passenger Nikki Valentine CBC of Canada.
AIRLINE SAYS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF SOUTH KOREA PLANE SHOWS ‘NO PROBLEMS’: REPORT
A wide view of the plane fire being extinguished at Halifax Stanfield Airport. (Aden O’Callaghan / Storyful)
| Ticker | security | last | change | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACDVF | AIR CANADA | 15.83 | +0.36 |
+2.36% |
O’Callaghan told CBC he felt shaken the day after the hard landing and had neck and back pain.
“Other than that I’m fine, still a little shaky,” he said.
The plane experienced a “suspected landing gear problem,” an Air Canada spokesman told a local media outlet. (Aden O’Callaghan / Storyful)
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT FOX BUSINESS
The airport issued a statement to the X less than an hour after the incident saying that everyone on board had exited the plane and that the airfield was temporarily closed while they addressed the situation.
