Air Canada flight makes emergency landing after engine issue in Madrid
On Monday, an Air Canada plane travelling from Madrid to Toronto requested an emergency landing shortly after takeoff. The plane was seen landing just after 1:00 p.m. ET.
#cbc #AC837 #MADRID #LANDING #TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/vPlDnc6NTe
— Aaron C. (@thelastfedor) February 3, 2020
Pretty scary rough landing, but we made it. Thanks for all the messages and wishes!
Live in fascination and enjoy the ride! pic.twitter.com/5RFWSiTyTn— Aaron C. (@thelastfedor) February 3, 2020
According to Reuters, the Boeing 767 aircraft called air traffic control just 30 minutes into the flight due to a “technical issue.”
Air Canada confirmed to Yahoo Canada that the plane did experience “engine issue” shortly after takeoff.
“A tire also reportedly ruptured on take-off, one of 10 on this model of aircraft. The aircraft opted to return to Madrid and is currently circling to use up fuel and lighten the aircraft for landing,” the statement, provided around 11:40 a.m. ET, reads.
“The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300, is designed to operate on one engine and our pilots are fully trained for this eventuality. Nonetheless, an emergency was declared in order to obtain landing priority. There are 128 passengers on board. We have no further details on the cause at present.”
Más problemas en Barajas: a las 15h, un Boeing 767 de Air Canada ha perdido piezas del tren de aterrizaje que han entrado en el motor, obligándolo a declarar emergencia. Ahora deberá estar tres horas quemando combustible.
— Sepla (@sepla_pilotos) February 3, 2020
The country’s pilots union has said that the plane lost pieces of the landing gear, needing to circle the area to burn off the fuel before landing. Flight path images showed the plane circling the Madrid-Barajas airport.
#AC837, Madrid - Toronto, is holding shortly after takeoff to reduce fuel weight prior to return to Madrid due to a technical issue. https://t.co/d1lAaHTqNz pic.twitter.com/2kE3PluiFF
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 3, 2020
An F-18 fighter from the Spanish Air Force was spotted assessing the damage of the plane and providing support for the pilots.
#Spanish #AirForces helping out the #pilots. Their information will be used in #landing @EjercitoAire @AirCanada Praying for the best!! https://t.co/oHQFkS7pVp
— Maria Canyizal (@mariacanyizal) February 3, 2020
People on social media took notice of the AC837 flight, showing images of flames coming from the plane.
Me pasan esta imagen del Boeing 767 de Air Canada con codigo AC837 que esta en situacion de emergencia sobre Barajas. Parece una llamarada del motor.
Esperemos que se resuelva bien pic.twitter.com/UOZ3vlk6B4— Dawlad (@J_Merino_B) February 3, 2020
El vuelo AC837, operado por Air Canada y con destino Toronto, se encuentra actualmente quemando combustible al sur de la capital tras haber registrado una incidencia con el tren de aterrizaje cuando despegaba de Barajas a las 14:55. [vídeo de @Beatrizxy] pic.twitter.com/m4mA4zVjVn
— Aeropuerto Madrid-Barajas (@aeropuertoMAD) February 3, 2020
Following the landing, people took to social media to applauding the “professionalism,” training and bravery of Air Canada pilots.
Today we saw with #AirCanada #AC873, the professionalism of #Canada's Airline pilots trained and certified by @Transport_gc. Very impressive flying by the @AirCanada flight crew. All 130 souls safe and sound. Thank you. True #avaitors #MardidBarajas pic.twitter.com/piHWize5od
— HBMG (@TheNewOcean) February 3, 2020
@AirCanada Congratulations on the actions of your airplane pilot in Spain for the forced landing 👌👍 🇨🇦🇪🇸
Félicitations pour les actions de votre pilote d'avion en Espagne pour l'atterrissage forcé 👌👍 🇨🇦🇪🇸— Luis Pelcastre (@luigiperpel) February 3, 2020
@AirCanada
The aircraft on its flight from Madrid to Toronto has performed a smooth landing thanks to a skilled and experienced crew, after suffering from problems with landing gear and engine.
Congratulations !— Hans L. 🎗 ✡🔻 (@Snah50Hans) February 3, 2020
The emergency occurred hours after a drone sighting near the takeoff area caused over 20 flights diverted from Barajas the airport.