The Air Canada aircraft was stuck on the runway of the VC Bird International Airport for over two hours due to problems with the nose wheel steering, which led to a disruption of flight schedules for a number of other airlines. (Photo by Rory Butler/OBSERVER Media)
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Passengers onboard a Toronto-bound Air Canada flight AC961 were forced to stay put for two hours after the aircraft – boarded at the VC Bird International Airport – experienced difficulties during takeoff and became stuck on the runway.
The plane eventually took off at 5:13 pm, a little more than two hours past its 3 pm departure time.
It also caused a number of disruptions to other flights. As a result of the incident, an American Airlines flight from Miami, which was due to land in antigua at around 3:20 pm yesterday, was forced to circle several times before being diverted to St Kitts. Its arrival in Antigua was eventually delayed around two hours.
Also a United Airlines flight, two LIAT flights and a number of courier flights were forced to delay takeoff during the incident.
Further, a Virgin Airlines flight, which was due to arrive at 4:45 pm yesterday, delayed its departure from Barbados and arrived around 6 pm.
Director of Operations for the Airport Authority Edward Gilkes said the captain of the Air Canada flight had ordered passengers to remain onboard while repairs were done. Employees said passengers were fed while the problem was addressed.
The Air Canada flight came to a halt while taxiing down the main runway shortly after 3 pm yesterday and returned to the parking apron on its own power.
Several airport officials went to the scene to address the problem.
Gilkes said the aircraft experienced problems with the nose wheel steering.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
@FYI the tow-bar donated by AA only serves Boeing 737/757/767s, the type used on Airbus A320 series (A318,A319,A320,A321) is different…and the procedures in using it is a bit different from a Boeing aircraft as well (they would have needed to bring the appropriate tow bar up from Guadeloupe since Air France operates A320s in the region and thus having a few at Le Raizet).
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They do have a tow, which was donated by AA almost 6 mths now.
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JP also note that when there is any issue with an aircraft’s landing gear, they have to stay in the position to evaluate things (particularly to ascertain the risk of a gear collapse) before continuing to taxi. Hence they could not just continue taxiing the airplane until the issue was looked at by ground crew.
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JP. If you read the story it could not be towed as they do not have the appropriate tow bar in Antigua. And it eventually moved under its own power back to the ramp after it was determined that it could safely do so. As well, it was stated in the print edition that no other operator flies this type into Antigua. That statement is incorrect as US Airways also operates the A319/320 into Antigua.
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Why was it allowed to sit blocking the only runway? Why was it not ordered by Airport Authority to be towed? Either reporter wrote an incomplete story by not stating what the problem was or the Airport Authority needs to fix it’s priorities? That plane should have been towed back and then fixed.
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Perhaps they treat it much like a crime scene? In that they don’t move or mess with the scene until the matter has been fully investigated?
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