WestJet Boeing 737-800 sustains damage in landing at St Maarten

A WestJet Boeing 737-800 operating flight WJA2276 from Toronto to St Maarten sustained significant damage on September 7, after a forced landing resulted in the collapse of its right main landing gear. All 164 passengers were evacuated without reported injuries, but the airport was closed for several hours.

The aircraft departed Toronto at 08:41 for a scheduled five-hour flight to Princess Juliana International Airport. Upon touchdown, the right main landing gear failed, causing the aircraft to tilt and impact the runway with its right wing and engine. Video footage shows the jet sliding along the runway while the crew used rudder control to maintain directional stability.

Airport emergency services responded immediately, deploying fire suppression foam on the right wing and engine to mitigate fire risk. Passengers exited the aircraft via emergency slides, and three individuals underwent precautionary medical checks.

https://www.youtube.com/live/owRQrYQUJ5k?si=W1PtfVSd9CEDJu4e&t=14477

Airport closed until Monday

The Boeing 737-800 is a widely used narrowbody aircraft in WestJet’s fleet, typically configured for short- to medium-haul routes. The incident has temporarily removed one airframe from service, requiring inspection and repairs, potentially affecting scheduling and capacity on the airline’s network.

As a result of the landing incident, Princess Juliana International Airport was closed to all air traffic until the disabled aircraft could be removed. WestJet has stated it is cooperating fully with local authorities and aviation safety investigators.

“At this time, we are awaiting confirmation on the exact nature of the incident. Our teams are focused on supporting our guests and crew, ensuring their safety and care remain our highest priority. WestJet is fully cooperating with local authorities and will provide additional updates as more information is available”, said the airline.

The airport is expected to remain closed until at least 12:00 on September 8, pending completion of recovery operations and safety assessments. Further updates on the investigation and operational impacts are anticipated as authorities review the circumstances of the event.

About the Author

Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

Articles by the author »