An Air Canada flight bound for Paris turned into a mid-air emergency when a fire broke out shortly after takeoff from Toronto Pearson International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 389 passengers and 13 crew members, faced a critical situation just minutes into its journey on Friday. The flight crew promptly issued a PAN-PAN distress signal, indicating an urgent need for assistance but not a life-threatening emergency. This immediate action set the stage for a well-coordinated response, ensuring that the plane could safely return to the airport without any injuries or casualties.How did it happenThe Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft took off at 12:17 AM (Toronto time). By 12:39 AM, as the plane was climbing, air traffic control (ATC) noticed sparks and fire coming from the right engine. This alarming sight was quickly communicated to the flight crew, who managed the situation with remarkable professionalism. Observers on the ground captured the malfunction on video, which quickly spread across social media platforms.Praise from an astronautAmong those who shared the dramatic footage was astronaut Chris Hadfield. He commended the pilots and ATC for their exemplary handling of the emergency, highlighting the precision and calmness that ensured the safety of everyone on board.Video goes viralThe video shared by Hadfield, along with a detailed YouTube reconstruction by You can see ATC, provided a clear view of the incident. The reconstruction showed that the plane was at 1,000 feet when the crew was alerted to the engine fire. Despite challenging conditions, including low cloud cover and thunderstorms, the pilots skillfully maintained control, cruising at 3,000 feet before deciding to turn back to Toronto.Watch the video here:Superb work by the pilots and their air traffic controllers, dealing with a backfiring engine on takeoff. Heavy plane full of fuel, low cloud thunderstorms, repeated compressor stalls. Calm, competent, professional - well done!Details: https://t.co/VaJeEdpzcn @AirCanada pic.twitter.com/7aOHyFsR29— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) June 7, 2024ATC played a crucial role in the emergency landing, clearing Runway 23, and positioning fire vehicles on standby. The aircraft executed a smooth landing and continued to taxi to the gate within four minutes, demonstrating the effectiveness of the emergency procedures in place.Air Canadas official statementIn the aftermath, Air Canada issued a statement on the social media platform X, explaining that the fire was caused by a stalled compressor in the engine. The aircraft landed normally, and it was met by first responder vehicles as a precaution before it taxied to the gate on its own, the statement read. This event adds to a series of incidents involving Boeing aircraft in recent months.
