The last thing any plane passenger wants to experience upon landing is an unexpected detour off the runway. Unfortunately, strange runway incidents happen from time to time, and that’s exactly what 162 people flying into Montreal on Air Canada experienced on Thursday evening, July 9.
Fortunately, no one was hurt. But NAV Canada warned travelers of delays at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport afterward. The incident temporarily closed the airport’s north runway while passengers were evacuated and investigators were sent to the scene.
NAV Canada, which manages Canada’s civil air navigation system, said delays were affecting flights at YUL because of reduced runway availability after the aircraft incident and weather in the region.
TheTravel has reached out to Air Canada and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport for comment on any developments to the story.
Air Canada Said Flight AC774 Landed Normally Before The Excursion
On Thursday evening, Air Canada’s Flight AC774, traveling from Los Angeles to Montreal, exited the taxiway after landing at Montréal-Trudeau around 4 p.m. Fortunately for everyone on board, it came to rest a short distance away on the grass, avoiding any collisions or serious damage.
That’s a better outcome than the one where a Delta plane was grounded after clipping the runway with its wing. And, fortunately, the plane stayed upright, unlike another Delta flight that overturned at Toronto airport, injuring 17 people.
No injuries were reported among the 156 passengers and six crew members on board the Boeing 737 MAX, according to Air Canada and local reports. Passengers were transported by bus after the aircraft came to rest on the grass, but they were stuck on board for about three hours, according to a passenger who spoke to CBC. Air Canada confirmed to Montreal City News at 7:38 p.m. that everyone had arrived inside the terminal.
Needless to say, it was a scary situation for those on board.
“We were going very fast, and suddenly there was a big smoke smell and the next thing I knew, we were tumbling on the grass,” said passenger Edelston Peterson, per CBC. “There was smoke, dirt and grass right at my window, so I couldn’t see outside.”
Peterson posted a video to Facebook just after the incident, saying, “Thanks to all the crew and first responders for their incredible work.”
The airport activated its Emergency Coordination Centre after the incident. The north runway was temporarily closed to allow a safe evacuation, resulting in operational delays.
NAV Canada said Thursday evening that delays were affecting YUL because of reduced runway availability following the aircraft incident and weather in the region.
Transportation Safety Board Investigators Were Sent To The Scene
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the incident.
“We are deploying investigators to the scene to gather information and assess the accident,” a spokesperson said in an email to CBC.
Air Canada also said the aircraft would be towed to a hangar for inspection and that the airline would conduct a detailed investigation while working with authorities to find out what happened.
The Air Canada incident also affected traffic moving through Montreal’s airport
Airport operations were disrupted for hours. According to The Montreal Gazette, Runway 6L/24R reopened around 9:45 p.m. The agency said its team was moving aircraft safely and as quickly as possible, and advised travelers to check flight status with their airline.
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Online reactions to Air Canada AC774’s detour into the grass |
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“A friend of mine on board this flight said that it felt like the pilot overshot the runway and was running out of runway and braking was very hard, pilot uses some taxiway for additional space while braking but couldn’t turn right enough. reactionsEngines and undercarriage scrapped.” |
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“You should train your pilots better to remain on taxiways. Just a month ago you almost killed me when your pilot decided to taxi on an active runway.” |
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“Whoa, that’s a wild landing! Glad everyone’s okay though. Wonder what happened on the taxiway?” |
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“You’re not allowed to park there.” |
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“Glad everyone is okay!” |
Global News reported that airport officials also warned travelers to check flight status before heading to Montreal-Trudeau. No flight cancellations were reported by CBC in the immediate aftermath, but delays of up to an hour were reported due to the temporary runway closure.
What Travelers Flying Through YUL Should Know
For the most part, things seem to be back to normal. However, travelers flying through Montreal-Trudeau can check flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport, especially if they are connecting through YUL or traveling on a tight schedule.
The incident occurred during a period of weather-related issues in the region to boot, according to NAV Canada. Even after a runway reopens, delays can continue as airlines reposition aircraft, crews, gates, and baggage operations.
Passengers affected by delays should monitor airline apps, airport alerts, and email or text notifications. Travelers with onward connections should contact their airline quickly if the delay could cause a missed flight.
While Air Canada’s operations at YUL weren’t shut down, the closure of one runway reduced capacity during the response. By Thursday night, the affected runway had reopened, but passengers were still being urged to verify their flights before heading to the airport.
The investigation will now determine exactly what caused AC774 to leave the paved surface after landing, so airlines can hopefully avoid similar incidents in the future.
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