MONTREAL– An Air Canada (AC) Boeing 737 MAX aircraft carrying 156 passengers and six crew members veered off the runway while exiting after landing at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) on Thursday, prompting a temporary runway closure and causing operational delays across the airport.
No injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely transported to the terminal.
The aircraft was operating Flight AC774 from Los Angeles (LAX) to Montreal when the incident occurred shortly after landing at around 4 p.m. local time.
Air Canada confirmed that the aircraft landed normally before experiencing a runway excursion while leaving the main runway, entering a grassy area before coming to a stop. Authorities have launched investigations as airport operations gradually returned to normal.
Air Canada 737 MAX Incident
Air Canada said the Boeing 737 MAX exited the paved surface while vacating the runway and came to rest on the grass. Emergency procedures were immediately activated, and airport personnel responded to the scene.
The airline confirmed there were no injuries among the 162 people onboard. Passengers remained on the aircraft for several hours while officials assessed the situation and ensured it was safe to begin disembarkation.
Buses later transported all passengers and crew to the terminal. Air Canada stated that the aircraft will be moved to a maintenance hangar for a comprehensive inspection as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the runway excursion.
Passenger Response After Incident
Several passengers described tense moments after the aircraft left the paved surface. One traveler said heavy rain was falling during the landing and recalled sensing that something was wrong as the aircraft touched down.
According to passenger accounts, a strong smell of smoke followed before the aircraft rolled onto the grass, throwing up dirt and debris outside the cabin windows. Many onboard were uncertain about the situation until the aircraft came to a complete stop.
Passengers remained inside the aircraft for approximately three hours before disembarking. Despite the delay, several travelers praised the flight crew for remaining calm, communicating with passengers, and handling the situation professionally throughout the incident.
Airport Operations Traffic Management
The incident forced Montréal–Trudeau International Airport to temporarily close one of its two runways, reducing airport capacity during the busy evening period.
Domestic and international flights experienced delays of roughly 30 minutes, while some U.S.-bound services faced delays approaching one hour, CBC reported.
NAV CANADA introduced temporary traffic management measures, including a brief ground stop and arrival flow restrictions, to maintain safe operations. Weather conditions in the Montreal area also added to the operational challenges during the evening.
The affected runway reopened later that night, allowing flight operations to resume. However, airport officials advised travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport due to lingering delays.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed investigators to gather evidence and determine the factors that led to the runway excursion. Air Canada said it will cooperate fully with the investigation while conducting its own internal review.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
