Plane with ‘suspected landing gear issue’ moved after rough Halifax landing

A plane that experienced a rough landing, which sparked flames at the Halifax airport, has now been moved and the runway is back in operation.

The Air Canada Express flight operated by PAL Airlines arrived from St. John’s, N.L. Saturday night and attempted to land at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said late Saturday that the plane experienced a “suspected landing gear issue” after arrival and was unable to reach the terminal.

He said none of the 73 passengers or crew was injured.

A passenger, Nikki Valentine, said that they felt a “massive rumble” upon landing.

“The cabin tilted, we saw sparks and then flames and then smoke started getting sucked into the cabin,” she told The Canadian Press.

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In a Monday statement, a Halifax airport spokesperson said the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) had completed its review of the area as of Sunday night and had given its approval for the aircraft’s removal.

“We assisted our airline partners in safely relocating the aircraft,” wrote communications manager, Leah Batstone, in an email to Global News.

“The runway was inspected and reopened today (Dec. 30) at 10:15 a.m. Both runways are now available for regular flight operations.”

The TSB continues to investigate.

— with a file from The Canadian Press

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