TORONTO— A WestJet (WS) Boeing 737 MAX 8 was involved in a ground collision with a catering truck at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on October 27, 2026. The aircraft’s winglet struck a parked vehicle while the jet was being towed to an overnight parking position, according to the airline and Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB).
No passengers or crew members were aboard the aircraft, and no injuries were reported. The aircraft, registered as C-FRYV, had arrived from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) as flight WS2221 roughly two hours before the incident. Authorities are gathering information, but the TSB said it does not plan to deploy investigators.
WestJet 737 Hits Truck at Toronto Airport
The collision occurred shortly before 8:15 p.m. local time as the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was being repositioned on the airport apron.
Initial social media posts suggested the aircraft had been taxiing after landing, but the airline and authorities clarified that it was being moved under tow.
WestJet said the aircraft’s winglet made contact with a parked catering truck while it was being towed to an overnight parking pad. Winglets are vertical extensions at the tips of aircraft wings that help reduce drag and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
The TSB confirmed that the aircraft was being repositioned and that there was no intention for it to operate a flight at the time. Airport emergency response units attended the scene, although authorities have not disclosed the extent of damage to the aircraft or the truck.
Toronto Pearson’s operations were not affected, according to reports. It remains unclear whether the aircraft required repairs or how long it may have been unavailable for service.
Previous Ground Collisions
The incident highlights the risks associated with ground handling, when aircraft operate in close proximity to catering trucks, baggage vehicles, fuel trucks and other airport equipment.
These vehicles routinely approach aircraft to load supplies, service cabins, and support aircraft movements, leaving limited clearance around wings, engines, and fuselages.
WestJet has experienced a similar incident before. In 2019, one of its aircraft struck a catering truck while being pushed back from a gate at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Ground collisions involving service vehicles have also affected other airlines, sometimes resulting in substantial damage and flight cancellations.
In March 2025, a LATAM Airlines Boeing 777-300ER sustained fuselage damage after a catering truck struck it at Milan Malpensa Airport.
The aircraft was reportedly out of commercial service for nearly three weeks. In May 2026, a catering truck severely damaged a United Airlines Airbus A320 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and the aircraft was subsequently reported to be headed for scrapping.
Repair Costs of WestJet’s 737 is Unknown
The cost of repairing WestJet’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 has not been disclosed. The final impact will depend on the damage found during inspection, the availability of replacement parts and the time required to return the aircraft to service.
Ground damage can generate costs beyond physical repairs, including lost aircraft availability, maintenance work, replacement aircraft arrangements and potential disruption to scheduled flights.
Even damage to a winglet can require technical inspection before an aircraft can safely return to commercial operations, Simple Flying flagged.
The TSB said it was collecting information about the Toronto incident but would not send investigators. That decision does not establish the cause of the collision or indicate the extent of the damage.
Further details about the aircraft’s condition and any operational consequences have not been confirmed. The incident adds to a series of ground-handling collisions that demonstrate the importance of coordination between towing crews and airport service vehicles.
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