HALIFAX: Air Canada Flight 2259, operated by PAL Airlines, made an emergency landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) night after a landing gear malfunction.
The De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft, en route from St. John’s (YYT), experienced issues during its descent. One tire failed to deploy, causing the plane to touch down unevenly at 9:30 p.m. AST (1:30 a.m. GMT Sunday).
The aircraft skidded along the runway, sparking a fire near the left wing. Emergency crews quickly extinguished the flames. All passengers and crew evacuated safely.
Passenger Nikki Valentine described the landing to CBC News. “The plane tilted to the left, and we heard a crash-like sound. Flames and smoke appeared near the wing,” she said. She praised the organized evacuation, noting the urgency of the situation.
The incident briefly closed Halifax Airport. One runway reopened early Sunday.
Investigators are now examining the cause of the landing gear failure. The Dash 8-400, a common regional aircraft, will undergo a detailed inspection.
This marks the third major aviation incident in a week, raising concerns about flight safety.
