Plane catches fire on Halifax runway after rough landing

In Canada, specifically at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, an incident occurred on December 28, 2024, involving Air Canada Flight 2259, which was operated by PAL Airlines. The flight, arriving from St. John's, experienced a suspected malfunction with its landing gear, leading to a challenging landing at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time. The aircraft skidded down the runway, resulting in flames igniting on the left side as the wing scraped against the pavement. Nikki Valentine, a passenger on the flight carrying 73 individuals, described the moment of landing as tumultuous, with the cabin tilting significantly and fire subsequently appearing. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported among the passengers and crew, although minor injuries were noted. The quick response from the flight crew helped ensure an efficient evacuation, as they instructed passengers to exit the aircraft promptly due to the flames. The incident prompted airport officials to immediately suspend flight operations and close the airport for approximately 90 minutes while emergency services responded. Fire services arrived promptly and extinguished the flames, minimizing damage. Passengers were evacuated successfully, but they faced delays in retrieving their luggage due to the ongoing investigation. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada announced that it would conduct an investigation into the event to determine the exact cause of the landing gear failure and the subsequent ignition of flames during landing. Following the temporary closure, normal flight operations resumed by the following day, but some delays were reported as one runway remained closed for inspections. This incident was not only unsettling for those involved, but it also brought attention to Boeing's safety protocols and aircraft maintenance, particularly in light of the recent deadly incidents involving aircraft failures across the globe. The investigation and findings may lead to necessary changes in regulations or procedures to ensure passenger safety in the future.