Blog

Emergency Landing in Minneapolis for Air Canada A220 Due to Engine Failure

February 28th, 2023
← Back to blog

Emergency Landing in Minneapolis for Air Canada A220 Due to Engine Failure

On January 8, 2021, an Air Canada A220 was forced to make an emergency landing in Minneapolis, Minnesota after experiencing engine failure. The flight, which was headed from Los Angeles, California to Toronto, Ontario, safely landed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with no injuries reported among the passengers and crew.

Cause of Engine Failure

Initial reports suggest that the engine failure was caused by a bird strike, which occurred shortly after takeoff. Bird strikes are not uncommon and can cause serious damage to an aircraft’s engines. In this case, it appears that the bird struck one of the A220’s engines, causing it to malfunction and eventually fail.

Response and Emergency Landing

Upon realizing that the engine had failed, the pilot declared an emergency and alerted air traffic control. The pilot then followed emergency procedures, shutting down the damaged engine and preparing for an emergency landing. The A220 landed safely at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at approximately 9:30 AM local time.

Passenger Reactions

Passengers on the flight reported feeling a loud bang and vibrations before the pilot announced that the plane was experiencing engine trouble. Despite the initial shock, passengers praised the pilot and crew for their handling of the situation, saying that they remained calm and provided regular updates throughout the emergency descent.

Aftermath

Following the emergency landing, passengers were evacuated from the A220 and transported to the terminal by bus. Air Canada is working to arrange alternate flights for the affected passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be conducting investigations into the incident to determine the cause of the engine failure and any necessary safety recommendations.

Conclusion

While engine failures are rare, they are a possibility that all pilots must be prepared to handle. In this case, the pilot and crew of the Air Canada A220 demonstrated their professionalism and training by safely landing the aircraft and evacuating passengers without any injuries. The FAA and NTSB will work to determine the cause of the engine failure and any necessary safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.