STATEMENT ON PILATUS PC-12 ACCIDENT

The Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) received a call near 1230 pm on Wednesday, December 13 that a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft was in distress during a flight from Moncton to St. John’s, with the nose gear stuck in a retracted position. The weather in St. John’s was challenging so the decision was made to attempt landing at Gander. The pilot was the only occupant of the aircraft.

Emergency responders from the airport and community were positioned while the aircraft burned off fuel and attempted a touch and go with hopes the nose gear would retract. When that attempt was unsuccessful, the pilot attempted final approach at 130 pm on Runway 13 with a successful nosewheel up landing. The pilot walked away from the aircraft under his own power while the aircraft sustained minor damage.

Transportation Safety Board has been contacted. The aircraft has been released and a recovery team is moving the aircraft at this time. The airport anticipates the runway to be fully reinstated in the next few hours.

Given that the airport has a perpendicular runway system, all arrivals and departures at the airport are proceeding as per normal.

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