A terrifying moment unfolded when an Air Canada passenger jet erupted into flames and sparks during an emergency landing after a wheel malfunction left the aircraft teetering dangerously on one side.
This was just one of three aviation nightmares occurring on the same night, including a catastrophic crash in South Korea feared to have claimed 179 lives.
The Air Canada flight AC2259, en route from St. John’s to Halifax, sent passengers into panic as one of its wings caught fire on the runway. Shocking footage captured the flames bursting from the wing, illuminating the night as the plane skidded at a precarious angle.
Passengers Gripped by Fear During Fiery Descent
Inside the aircraft, chaos reigned as passengers held on for dear life. Videos shared on social media reveal the cabin shaking violently as smoke filled the windows. Passenger Nikki Valentine described the horrifying ordeal, saying, “The plane started to tilt, and we heard a loud crash as the wing scraped the ground. Flames erupted, and the cabin filled with smoke.”
Despite the dramatic scene, all 73 passengers and crew were safely evacuated via bus. Halifax Stanfield International Airport was temporarily closed while authorities investigated the incident, later attributing the fire to a tire failure during landing.
Norwegian Jet Skids Off Runway in Separate Scare
Meanwhile, in Norway, a KLM Boeing 737-800 narrowly avoided disaster after a suspected hydraulic system failure forced an emergency landing. The plane, carrying 182 passengers from Oslo to Amsterdam, skidded off the runway at Sandefjord Torp Airport, stopping in an adjacent grassy area. Miraculously, no injuries were reported, and passengers were evacuated safely.
Authorities are probing the hydraulics failure that caused the crash landing, marking the second aviation scare of the night involving a Boeing 737-800.
South Korea Tragedy: Death Toll Climbs in Devastating Crash
Adding to the nightmarish series of events, a Boeing 737-800 crash in South Korea left 179 people feared dead after the plane’s landing gear failed. The Jeju Air flight, attempting a “belly landing” at Muan International Airport, erupted into a fireball upon impact, hurtling off the runway and into an embankment.
With only two survivors among the 181 on board, rescue teams continue to recover bodies from the wreckage. Heartbreaking footage revealed passengers’ final moments, and investigators are analyzing the black box for answers.
A Night of Aviation Horror
From fiery landings to catastrophic crashes, these incidents underscore the risks of air travel. As authorities investigate the causes, the aviation world grapples with a night marked by tragedy, terror, and resilience.
