VANCOUVER, BC – A Westjet 737, with 153 people on board, decided to return to the Vancouver Airport today after departing on its flight to Hawaii.
Witnesses report seeing airport emergency vehicles inspecting the south runway shortly after the aircraft departed at 11:41 am PT and airline officials have confirmed the a piece of rubber came off one of the tires as the aircraft took off.
The flight was originally scheduled to return around 2:40 pm PT, but needed to burn off fuel, and was able to touch down safely at 4:04pm PT where it was met by emergency vehicles.
Sources indicate that one of the main tires blew apart on the left side of the aircraft nearest to the wheel well.
Airline officials said passengers would be accommodated on other flights, and those requiring accommodation would be put up in hotels at the airline’s expense.
1 response so far
1 Mike Phillips ~ Jan 1, 2010 at 3:58 pm
A fire in battery compartment on aircraft, passenger evacuation due to heavy smoke/fumes last week, now this. Way to go Westjet!