VANCOUVER- An Amazon Prime cargo aircraft overran Vancouver International Airport’s (YVR) north runway boundary early Tuesday morning (November 19, 2024), causing an operational disruption that will persist for several days.
The CargoJet-operated PrimeAir flight exceeded the runway’s eastern limit at 1:45 a.m. PT.
CargoJet 767 Overshoot Runway
The three-member crew evacuated safely without injuries, with YVR fire and rescue teams responding immediately to the incident. Airport officials confirmed the plane became lodged in muddy terrain beyond the runway’s end.
YVR CEO Tamara Vrooman detailed the complex recovery operation ahead, explaining the necessity of constructing temporary infrastructure to facilitate the aircraft’s extraction. “We will need to build, essentially, a road that will allow us to bring in the equipment that will allow us to extract the plane from its current location,” Vrooman stated.
The recovery timeline remains contingent on Transportation Safety Board clearance and subsequent site investigation. The north runway’s closure impacts airport operations, requiring adjustment of flight patterns and schedules, reported CBC News.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed investigators to examine the Amazon Prime cargo plane incident at Vancouver International Airport. The team will collect critical information to assess the runway overrun occurrence.
Airport CEO Tamara Vrooman confirmed operational adjustments, with all flights redirected to the south runway. The incident caused delays for approximately five percent of Tuesday’s flights, prompting airport officials to advise passengers to verify their flight status with airlines.
Vrooman assured public safety, emphasizing that the aircraft never threatened to breach the runway’s secure perimeter separating airport operations from the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet mall and parking facilities. Airport authorities scheduled cargo removal operations for Tuesday.
Heavy Landing
Air traffic control recordings have uncovered that the Boeing 767 cargo jet reported flight control issues before its runway overrun at Vancouver International Airport. The crew specifically identified problems with the aircraft’s leading edge slats, crucial wing mechanisms designed for speed reduction during landing.
The Cargojet Airways-operated Amazon Prime Air flight departed Hamilton, Ontario, shortly after midnight Eastern time, carrying approximately 10,000 kilograms of fuel. Twenty minutes before landing, the crew alerted controllers about control system difficulties, requesting time to execute troubleshooting procedures.
Controllers maintained close airport proximity while the crew attempted to resolve the issue. Emergency protocols were activated at the crew’s request, with fire trucks deployed as a precautionary measure. The tower subsequently reported the aircraft was “coming in fast” to emergency responders.
The crew confirmed no dangerous cargo aboard besides fuel. According to NASA’s Beginner’s Guide to Aeronautics, the malfunctioning leading edge slats serve dual purposes: aircraft deceleration and lift generation during landing operations.
Similar Incidents
A Qantas (QF) Airbus A330 severely damaged Perth Airport’s main runway during takeoff on September 15, 2024. Flight QF71, bound for Singapore, created visible surface destruction at approximately 12:15 PM, with runway fragments propelling into the air during acceleration.
Aviation photographer Mitchell documented the incident, observing unusual brake engagement during the power increase. This non-standard procedure likely intensified the localized impact on the runway surface, necessitating immediate repairs.
In a separate incident, Hawaiian Airlines (HA) Flight HA29, an Airbus A321neo, experienced a brake malfunction at Kahului Airport on July 11, 2024. The aircraft overran Runway 2/20 at 1:30 p.m. local time, prompting immediate operational adjustments.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation confirmed the aircraft exceeded its designated stopping position due to brake system issues. The incident required temporary runway closure and triggered air traffic modifications.
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