The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has released details about an Air Canada flight, operated by PAL Airlines, that encountered issues upon landing in Halifax after departing St. John’s on Dec. 28.
According to a TSB news release on Thursday, a left tire on the De Havilland DHC-8-402 aircraft blew during takeoff from St. John’s International Airport. Tire fragments were discovered on the runway, but neither the blown tire nor the debris were detected during the flight. The aircraft continued to its destination without incident until touchdown on runway 23 at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
The TSB explained that the blown tire caused an imbalance that led to vibrations, unlocking the stabilizer brace of the left main landing gear and causing it to collapse. The collapse resulted in the left propeller striking the runway, sparking a fire in the left engine.
The flight crew activated the engine extinguisher system, and all 73 passengers and four crew members were evacuated safely, with no injuries reported.
However, questions about the emergency response have sparked discussions of legal action. Several passengers have contacted Halifax law firm Wagners, which is evaluating a proposed class-action lawsuit.
In a statement, the law firm claimed passengers were left on the tarmac for nearly an hour with little protection from harsh weather before being transported to a nearby hangar. Lawyer Ray Wagner drew parallels to the response after the crash of Air Canada Flight 624 in 2015, for which the firm is representing passengers in an ongoing class-action lawsuit.
“It is disappointing, and should concern anyone flying into Halifax, that nearly a decade later, the emergency response to runway incidents has not improved,” said Wagner. He urged authorities to address delays in providing passengers with a safe and comfortable environment following such events.
Neither PAL Airlines nor Halifax International Airport Authority has responded to requests for comment. The TSB investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
