Janet Hauser, a passenger on WS346, said the plane was just about ready for takeoff when she heard a “bam” and the brakes kicked in. Two nearby flight attendants “nearly fell to the ground,” she added.
“People that were on the side of the aircraft — the other side to me — they were taking pictures and there was a piece of our wing on the ground as it tried to squeeze under another airplane that was parked there,” she explained.
“Everybody was excellent and the pilot got on eventually. … He said he had been given the thumbs up, and so proceeded to keep driving, and whoever gave that thumbs up didn’t see properly and there wasn’t enough room.”
Hauser said she is now delayed a full day in journey, which ends in Prince Albert, Sask. She’ll spend the night in Calgary, she said.
The RCAF is now working to minimize the impact on fixed-wing search and rescue operations within the Victoria region. Rotary wing search and rescue operations remain unaffected, McKelvey said.
“As the matter is being investigated by multiple flight safety agencies, it would be inappropriate to comment on the nature and extent of the damage or speculate on the cause,” he said.
In a startling incident at Comox Valley Airport Wednesday, a WestJet flight destined for Edmonton collided with a parked military aircraft from 19 Wing Comox.
The incident, which took place during taxing for departure, has raised questions about air traffic management and safety protocols at the bustling airport.
WestJet Flight WS346, scheduled to travel from Comox to Edmonton, was preparing for takeoff when it unexpectedly made contact with the stationary military aircraft.
Despite the severity of the collision, WestJet reported that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft, with no injuries reported.
Crazy huh! Happy we all got off safely as this could have been much worse. At least we can be one of the rare few who can say we’ve survived a plane crash! pic.twitter.com/3XRNl43Dtv
— Andre Gagne (@EarthToAndre) August 9, 2023
The Canadian airline released a statement acknowledging the incident, explaining that a portion of the WestJet plane’s wing had broken off upon impact with the military aircraft.
The parked military aircraft, a CC-130 Hercules, suffered a noticeable gouge, further underscoring the force of the collision.
The circumstances leading to the collision are still under investigation.
The CC-130 Hercules was originally scheduled to perform a fly-past during the 31st annual Peacekeepers Memorial Parade at Esquimalt Memorial Park.
However, due to the damages sustained in the collision, this portion of the ceremonial event had to be called off, disappointing attendees who were anticipating the tribute.