On November 27, 2024, a serious incident occurred at Montreal Mirabel Airport when a Boeing 737-400 belonging to the Canadian airline Nolinor Aviation had to make an emergency landing due to a defect in the landing gear. Flight NRL662, which was originally scheduled to fly from Quebec City to La Baie Bagotville, was completed without any injuries despite the precarious situation.
During the approach to the destination, the crew issued a warning: the main landing gear was not fully extended. The crew then initiated a missed approach and decided to divert to the better-equipped Montreal Mirabel Airport to prepare for the emergency landing. The dramatic incident ended with the plane landing on the hood of the left engine, causing significant damage to the aircraft. Fortunately, the evacuation via the emergency slides was carried out quickly without any injuries or fire.
The affected machine and its history
The aircraft, a 34,7-year-old Boeing 737-400 with the registration C-GGWX, was originally delivered to Icelandair in 1990 and has changed hands several times since then. Nolinor Aviation took over the aircraft in 2020 and used it on demanding routes, often to remote airports in northern Canada. With a total fleet of 14 aircraft, including many historic models such as the Boeing 737-200, the airline specializes in passenger and cargo flights to extreme regions. This focus requires robust aircraft that can operate even in adverse conditions.
investigation initiated
The Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB) sent a team to the scene to determine the cause of the incident. Initial reports indicate that the left main landing gear may not have locked properly. If the damage to the aircraft is irreparable, it could be written off due to its age and the high cost of repairs.
It is notable that this incident occurred just days after another serious accident involving a Boeing 737-400 in Vilnius, Lithuania, in which a DHL cargo aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The series of problems with these older aircraft draws attention to the maintenance needs and challenges associated with operating aircraft of this age.
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