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On November 6, 2014 on a routine flight from Calgary, Alberta (YYC) to Grande Prairie, Alberta (CYQU), a Air Canada owned Dash-8 blew a tire on takeoff from YYC.
Due to unfavourable landing conditions at YYC, presumably strong crosswinds, the pilots announced they would divert to Edmonton International and carry out an emergency landing.
Upon touchdown the right landing gear collapsed sending the propeller into the tarmac, destroying it, then the prop broke off and cut into the fuselage of the airplane and injuring a passenger that was seated in that row.
Four passengers were injured in the incident. Of the four passengers admitted to the hospital for treatment, one remains in medical care for observation.
The aircraft sustained serious damage. The De Havilland Canada Dash-8 aircraft registered C-GGBF, manufactured by Bombardier, first flew in 2013.   Officials say the aircraft will likely return to service in a few months.

Image Courtesy of CTV News Edmonton

Image Courtesy of CTV News Edmonton

There were 71 passengers onboard the Air Canada Express flight.

Alicja Gados

I was born in Europe (Poland) and moved to Calgary as a young kid and grew up in Canada. I began graduate school in Edmonton, Alberta where I also began ground school and my private pilot’s license training at Edmonton city centre, the now closed, Blatchford field, CYXD (most operators have moved a short way west to Villeneuve). I moved to the rocky mountains, I transferred flight schools to very busy, and windy Springbank airport – CYBW near Calgary. This move was overwhelming, at best. This is a blog about my experience learning to fly, acquiring more flight experience and ratings but also about general aviation topics, news and gear reviews. I’ve discovered that flying takes a lot of studying, work and dedication, but is very rewarding! I started flying just out of graduate school, so I have struggled with paying for my lessons, and as a result, I have to take many breaks, which means that getting licensed has taken many more hours than normal. I am a commercial and multi IFR rated licensed pilot. I completed my PPL and CPL in Calgary-Springbank and multi IFR (group one) ratings in Abbotsford, BC at Chinook Helicopters. If you are learning to fly, interested in learning to fly or just interested in aviation, please join us. I trained as an economist before becoming a pilot and switching to aviation full time. I enjoy climbing, mountaineering, hiking, camping and backcountry skiing. It’s a great time to be in aviation. The industry is growing.

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