A WestJet Plane Caught Fire After Landing At Pearson Airport & Here's What Happened

An official said the safety of guests and crew was not at risk.

A WestJet aircraft landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

A WestJet aircraft landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

Editor

There was a scary moment aboard a WestJet flight that landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on Tuesday night, but the threat of a major emergency was short-lived.

Shortly after the flight landed at Pearson Airport, the engine of the WestJet aircraft caught fire as the engine was being shut down, but thankfully no one was hurt in the incident.

This happened as WestJet flight WS434 from Edmonton to Toronto touched down at YYZ at 8:50 p.m., according to the airline's flight status information.

"I can confirm WestJet flight WS434 travelling yesterday evening from Edmonton to Toronto experienced a minor tailpipe fire after engine shut down upon arrival," an airline spokesperson told Narcty in an emailed statement.

"The crew followed all standard safety procedures and were able to immediately extinguish the flames."

WestJet also confirmed that while emergency crews were called to the scene, they were not required by the time they arrived.

With no injuries reported, the Calgary-based airline also stressed, "At no point was the safety of our guests or crew at risk."

There was a total of five crew members and 110 passengers on board.

The spokesperson said all guests were able to deplane as they normally would.

"Our maintenance team has removed the aircraft from service for further inspection," they added.

While the threat of any danger seemed to have been neutralized quickly, it's unclear what caused the fire.

This latest in-flight incident pales in comparison to some previous examples of airplane emergencies in Canada this year, like when a Flair Airlines flight experienced a pressurization issue in February, forcing passengers to put on their oxygen masks while others could be heard screaming.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

  • Editor

    Stuart McGinn (he/him) was an Editor at Narcity Media. He spent nearly a decade working in radio broadcast journalism before joining the team, covering everything from breaking news to financial markets and sports. Since starting his career in his hometown of Ottawa after attending Algonquin College, Stuart has spent time working in our nation's capital, in Kitchener-Waterloo and in Toronto. If he's not out walking his dog Walter, there's a good chance he's running to train for his next marathon.

Everything we know so far about the fatal Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia Airport

From air traffic control transcripts to chilling passenger accounts, here's all the info we have so far.

It's a 'miracle' more people weren't killed in the Air Canada plane crash, expert says

"If it had stayed level ... there would have been much more damage, much more death."

Air traffic control audio reveals what went wrong in the deadly Air Canada plane crash

"I messed up," the air traffic controller can be heard saying after the crash.

Gunman at Mexico pyramids kills Canadian tourist

Canadian tourist killed, another injured after gunman opens fire at Mexico pyramids

Poll suggests more Tory voters now want new leader

Poll suggests more Conservative voters now want to replace Poilievre as leader

Ontario to sell $29-million jet bought for Ford

Ontario to sell $29-million jet bought for Premier Doug Ford after backlash

Alberta to do away with twice-a-year time change

Alberta's government says it will do away with twice-a-year time change