Wednesday, 23 July 2014

1983 July 23rd. The Gimli Glider.

Air Canada Flight 143

Flight 143 after landing at Gimli, Manitoba.
Accident summary
DateJuly 23, 1983
SummaryFuel exhaustion due to maintenance error
SiteEmergency landing at Gimli Industrial Park AirportGimli, Manitoba
50°37′44″N 97°02′38″W
Passengers61
Crew8
Injuries (non-fatal)10
Fatalities0
Survivors69 (all)
Aircraft typeBoeing 767-233
OperatorAir Canada
RegistrationC-GAUN
Flight originMontreal-Dorval International Airport
DestinationEdmonton International Airport
The Gimli Glider is the nickname of an Air Canada aircraft that was involved in an unusual aviation incident. On July 23, 1983, Air Canada Flight 143, a Boeing 767-233 jet, ran out of fuel at analtitude of 41,000 feet (12,000 m)MSL, about halfway through its flight originating in Montreal toEdmonton. The crew were able  to glide the  aircraft safely to an emergency landing at Gimli Industrial Park Airport, a formerRoyal Canadian Air Force base inGimli, Manitoba.
Following Air Canada's internal investigation, Captain Pearson was demoted for six months, and First Officer Quintal was suspended for two weeks. Three maintenance workers were also suspended.  In 1985 the pilots were awarded the first ever Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Diploma for Outstanding Airmanship.  Several attempts by other crews who were given the same circumstances in a simulator at Vancouver resulted in crashes. Quintal was promoted to captain in 1989, and Pearson retired 
in 1993.
  

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