N.B. resident praises crew’s handling of flight that made emergency landing in Moncton

A WestJet flight declared a mechanical abnormality before landing in Moncton over the weekend.

A Calgary-to-Moncton WestJet flight landed safely at the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport after declaring an emergency prior to landing on Sunday.

According to airport officials, emergency services were notified and were on standby shortly before the aircraft’s scheduled landing.

WestJet officials confirmed there were 127 passenger and six crew members onboard flight WS408 Sunday evening. A mechanical abnormality was observed in flight which prompted the alert.

Emergency vehicles met the aircraft upon arrival, but no injuries were reported. Moncton Fire Chief Conrad Landry said his department responded with an engine and tanker as per protocol for aircraft emergencies. They remained on standby, assisting airport firefighters until the plane landed safely and they were dismissed.

Riverview resident Mark Landry was on the flight and said he was largely unaware of any troubles until the plane safely touched down.

“There was no disruption at all on the flight,” Landry said. “I seen the Facebook post just shortly before we were landing, and that was about it. There was really no change from a normal flight, except for when you’re landing and you see all the emergency vehicles on the ground.

“I think people on the ground were more worried than the people on the plane.”

Landry praised the crew’s handling of the situation.

“I personally think if they had said something before, like, they probably just followed protocol, which in my opinion is fine. Because if they had of said, ‘OK, we’re down an engine,’ well, it’s probably going to cause more chaos on the flight than just by doing the right protocol. And I firmly believe that,” he said.

Landry’s experience hasn’t deterred him from future flights.

“It doesn’t impact me at all. You know what? I’d jump on a plane tomorrow. It doesn’t bother me personally,” he said. “It really doesn’t change my opinion of flying or WestJet.”

The airport confirmed the plane departed later that evening after a delay.

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