Air Canada Flight Lands with Broken Landing Gear in Halifax: Wing Scrapes Runway, Sparks Fire

A dramatic scene unfolded at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia on Saturday night, as Air Canada Flight 2259 made an emergency landing with a broken landing gear. The incident caused the aircraft’s wing to scrape the runway, sparking a fire and leading to a temporary closure of the airport.

The flight, arriving from St. John’s, Newfoundland, faced mechanical issues during its descent into Halifax. Upon landing, the aircraft tilted to the left, and the wing made contact with the runway surface. This led to visible sparks and flames near the engine area, creating a harrowing experience for those on board.

One passenger, who described the aircraft tilting at a 20-degree angle during the landing, recounted the terrifying moments:

"The plane started to tilt to the left, and as it did, we heard a loud crashing noise as the wing scraped along the pavement. It was followed by a strong burning smell, and we could see flames from the window."

The plane’s capacity was estimated to be around 80 passengers, based on its configuration of 20 rows with two seats on each side. However, Air Canada has not yet disclosed the exact number of passengers on board.

Despite the dramatic circumstances, the crew and emergency responders acted swiftly. The aircraft came to a stop, and all passengers were evacuated safely. Paramedics assessed the passengers in a nearby hangar, with no major injuries reported.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport temporarily suspended operations to manage the situation and ensure safety. The runway was inspected for damages and cleared for use later that night.

Air Canada has not released an official statement on the cause of the landing gear failure, but an investigation is underway. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) will examine the incident to determine contributing factors and whether mechanical failure or maintenance issues played a role.

While aviation safety standards and emergency protocols are designed to handle such scenarios, the incident highlights the importance of rigorous maintenance and the skill of pilots and crews in ensuring passenger safety. For the passengers aboard Flight 2259, it was a flight they’ll never forget.

The temporary shutdown of Halifax Stanfield International Airport caused some delays and cancellations for other flights. However, normal operations resumed shortly after the runway was cleared and inspected.

Air Canada will likely face scrutiny in the coming weeks as investigations progress. Passengers and aviation experts alike will be looking for answers to understand how the landing gear issue arose and what measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For now, the focus remains on the safety of those involved and the relief that all passengers and crew walked away unharmed from this frightening ordeal.

Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge about this high-stakes landing and its aftermath.