A LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner overshot the runway and overturned while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport during icy conditions. No serious injuries were reported among the 293 passengers and 11 crew members, who were evacuated safely. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the incident, which occurred shortly after midnight. The plane sustained significant damage to its landing gear and one wing, and recovery efforts are expected to be complex.
On the evening of July 24, 2024, a dramatic incident unfolded at Toronto Pearson International Airport, involving a small private aircraft registered to a company named Trefoil Marine Limited. The twin-engine aircraft, a Piper PA-31 Navajo, experienced a mishap during its landing procedures, ultimately overturning and coming to rest in an inverted position on the airfield. Emergency crews swiftly responded to the scene, including firefighters from both Mississauga and Toronto Pearson. Remarkably, despite the dramatic nature of the incident, the two individuals on board, the pilot and a single passenger, escaped with only minor injuries, a testament to the rapid response and effective safety measures in place. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital for assessment and treatment of their minor injuries, which authorities described as non-life-threatening. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), the entity responsible for investigating transportation occurrences, deployed a team of investigators to the site to meticulously examine the wreckage and gather evidence related to the incident. Their investigation aims to determine the causal factors that led to the aircraft overturning, encompassing a detailed analysis of factors such as weather conditions at the time of the incident, the aircraft's maintenance records, and the pilot's actions during the landing sequence. The overturned aircraft resulted in the temporary closure of Runway 23, a critical operational component of the airport. This closure, though temporary, necessitated the rerouting of some flights and likely caused minor disruptions to the airport's overall operational flow. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the governing body responsible for the management of Toronto Pearson International Airport, worked diligently to mitigate the impact of the runway closure and ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of the airport. While the precise sequence of events leading to the overturning remains under investigation by the TSB, preliminary reports indicate that the incident occurred during the landing phase, suggesting a potential issue during the aircraft's touchdown or subsequent rollout on the runway.
Summary of Comments ( 685 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43083012
HN commenters primarily discussed the unusual nature of the incident, a plane overturning during landing. Several questioned how such an event could occur, with some speculating about possible causes like mechanical failure, pilot error, or extreme weather conditions. The lack of reported injuries was noted as fortunate. Some users with aviation experience chimed in, highlighting the rarity of such accidents and the robustness of modern aircraft design. Others focused on the potential disruption to air travel, referencing the ripple effects that even a single incident can cause. The overall sentiment was one of surprise and curiosity, with a focus on understanding the factors that contributed to this unusual event.
The Hacker News post titled "Plane crashes, overturns during landing at Toronto airport" (linking to a CBC article about an incident at Pearson Airport) has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the event and aviation safety in general.
Several commenters focused on the semantics of the word "crash," debating whether the incident truly qualified as one. Some argued that "overturned" is a more accurate description, emphasizing that the plane landed and then flipped, while others pointed out that the event involved significant damage and deviation from a normal landing, thus justifying the "crash" label. This semantic discussion highlights the different interpretations of the term and the varying thresholds people have for classifying aviation incidents.
Another prominent theme in the comments is speculation about the cause of the incident, with many focusing on the potential role of wind shear. Commenters discussed how sudden changes in wind speed and direction, especially close to the ground, can drastically affect an aircraft's stability during landing. Some referenced similar incidents where wind shear was a contributing factor, reinforcing the possibility of it playing a role in this specific event.
A few comments also touched on the emergency response and the apparent success of the evacuation. Commenters expressed relief that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated and commended the efficiency of the emergency services. This aspect of the discussion highlighted the importance of effective emergency procedures in mitigating the consequences of such incidents.
Some users also expressed concerns about the potential for such incidents at Pearson Airport specifically, given its known exposure to varying weather conditions. However, these comments were generally countered by others who pointed out that Pearson is a major international airport with robust safety procedures and that incidents like this are statistically rare.
Finally, a couple of comments delved into the technical aspects of aircraft design and landing gear, speculating on the potential weaknesses that might contribute to an overturn in such circumstances. However, these comments were less prevalent compared to those focusing on wind shear and the semantics of "crash."
Overall, the discussion on Hacker News reflects a mixture of concern, curiosity, and technical analysis surrounding the incident. The most compelling comments offer insights into the potential causes, the effectiveness of the emergency response, and the broader questions surrounding aviation safety and terminology.