World · India Bureau
Pilot skill saves 69 as jet glides to emergency landing after fuel crisis
In a dramatic demonstration of aviation expertise, an Air Canada Boeing 767 landed safely after running out of fuel mid-flight over Manitoba in 1983. All 69 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft survived the incident with only minor injuries.
LSN India ·
On July 23, 1983, Air Canada Flight 143 experienced a catastrophic power loss while flying over Manitoba, Canada, after ground staff miscalculated the aircraft's fuel requirements by 45 percent. The Boeing 767 carried 61 passengers and 8 crew members at the time of the emergency.
As both engines failed at an altitude of approximately 10,000 metres, the flight crew faced a critical situation with no engine thrust. The pilots, demonstrating exceptional aeronautical skill, managed to glide the unpowered aircraft towards the nearest suitable landing site.
The crew successfully executed an emergency landing on Gimli Industrial Park, a former Royal Canadian Air Force base in Manitoba. The 767 touched down on the grass airfield without further incident, bringing the crippled aircraft safely to rest.
Passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft following standard emergency procedures. Medical personnel attending the scene reported that all individuals aboard sustained only minor injuries in what could have been a catastrophic accident.
Investigations into the incident led to significant changes in aircraft fuelling procedures across the aviation industry. The aircraft was subsequently repaired and returned to service, becoming known in aviation circles as the "Gimli Glider" for its remarkable emergency landing.