The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating after a small commercial airline in Medicine Hat, Alta., was forced to make an emergency landing. The aircraft, a Beech 55 owned by Super T Aviation, was on a training flight with a pilot and flight instructor when they received a warning about the landing gear not locking in place. Despite numerous attempts to manually lock it, the crew was unsuccessful and had to make an emergency landing. The landing gear collapsed upon touching down, but fortunately, there were no injuries, only minor damage to the aircraft.
Concerned citizen Darren Niccolls witnessed the incident and captured video of the plane circling over the airport before finally touching down. Emergency crews were on scene to respond within 15 minutes of the plane’s circling, shutting down airport access. The plane was towed away after the emergency landing, and the TSB has announced that they will not be deploying an investigator to Medicine Hat. However, they will be working with the airline, airport authority, and first responders to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Super T Aviation, the small commercial airline involved in the emergency landing, has stated that they are fully cooperating with the investigation. The airline operates out of Medicine Hat and offers charter services and flight training. The Beech 55 aircraft involved in the incident is described as a small twin-engine plane that can seat up to six people. Despite the scary situation, the crew and passengers on board the aircraft were unharmed, and only minor damage to the plane was sustained.
The incident took place around 11:35 a.m. on Thursday when the aircraft was returning to the Medicine Hat airport. After receiving a warning about the landing gear issue, the crew attempted to fix it manually but ultimately had to make an emergency landing. The landing gear collapsed upon touching down, leading to the aircraft coming to rest on the runway. Emergency crews were quick to respond to the scene, ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
The eyewitness account of Darren Niccolls provides further insight into the incident, as he observed the plane making multiple passes over the airport before landing. The video he captured shows the tense moments leading up to the emergency landing, highlighting the quick response of emergency crews in shutting down airport access. The TSB’s decision not to deploy an investigator to the scene does not diminish the importance of the investigation, as they will work closely with all relevant parties to determine the cause of the landing gear issue and prevent future incidents.
Overall, the emergency landing of the Beech 55 aircraft at the Medicine Hat airport was a frightening experience for those involved but ultimately resulted in no injuries. The quick response of emergency crews and the cooperation of Super T Aviation in the investigation will hopefully lead to a better understanding of what caused the landing gear issue and prevent similar incidents in the future. Despite the minor damage to the aircraft, everyone involved in the incident is safe, and the incident will serve as a learning experience for all parties involved.
