More details have emerged about a Westjet flight destined to Calgary from Kamloops that had to make an emergency landing in Kelowna due to engine failure.
The incident occurred on March 2, when the De Havilland Dash 8 left Kamloops with 74 passengers and four crew.
After an investigation by the Canadian Transportation Board, a report released on April 28 indicates that the plane was at 24,000 feet when the crew heard a “loud bang”. The autopilot was disengaged, and the crew noticed the right-hand engine temperature rising to dangerous levels before it began emitting bursts of flames and failed. The decision was made to shut the engine down, while the crew dropped the plane to 10,000 feet. A MAYDAY warning was declared, and a request was made to divert to Kelowna.
The plane entered a hold for about 30 minutes, before landing safely at Kelowna International Airport.
The report said that no fire depressant was used, as there was never any indication of fire.
The cause is still unknown, and is being declared a “mechanical issue.”