Power Loss Causes Pilot To Land on Calgary Street

durt · #1 ● 04-25-2018, 07:10 PM

In a remarkable display of aeronautical skill, a pilot successfully landed a small plane on a Calgary street early Wednesday, avoiding potential disaster after the aircraft reported power loss. The Piper Navajo, carrying six people, was en route to Calgary International Airport when the pilot radioed a distress call, indicating the right fuel pump had failed.

The emergency landing occurred on 36th Street near 16th Avenue N.E. around 5:30 a.m. MT, remarkably resulting in no injuries. The plane, which had departed from Medicine Hat, Alta., at approximately 4:45 a.m., clipped a light post during the landing, causing minor damage to the wing.

Calgary Fire Department's Acting District Chief Jason Graham commended the pilot's exceptional skill in safely landing the plane under challenging conditions. The aircraft, owned by Super T Aviation, was later moved to the roadside and towed away.

Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigator Mike Adam stated that the investigation into the cause of the power loss was underway, focusing on maintenance records, weather conditions, and operational policies.

Merle Johnson, CEO of Connacher Oil and Gas Ltd., confirmed that the four passengers aboard were company employees traveling to Fort McMurray. Following the incident, the company decided to send the employees back to Medicine Hat, prioritizing their safety.

Eyewitness accounts highlighted the surreal nature of the incident, with one witness, Jarrett Stobbe, describing the plane flying just meters above him before its skillful landing. Another witness, Michael Nadon, recounted his disbelief at seeing the plane navigate around buildings and clip a light post before landing.

The incident, which could have had severe consequences, ended with no physical injuries, thanks to the pilot's adept handling of the emergency situation.