SASKATOON – The Saskatoon Airport Authority says both the runway and taxiways were safe and operational when an Air Canada Jazz plane slid off into snow Thursday.
The airline says the plane from Calgary made a normal approach and landing but slid off the runway into a snow covered area while taxiing.
Initial reports indicated ice on the taxiway.
There were no injuries and all 52 passengers were transported to the terminal by bus.
The incident closed one runway delaying several flights.
Saskatoon Blades newest recruit Mitch Lipon was on board.
“We came pretty quick on the runway there and started sliding and next thing you know we’re hitting the snow getting on a bus and having to fill out forms to see if anyone was injured it was pretty nuts,” he said.
Saskatoon Airport Authority CEO Stephen Maybury says surface conditions were reported safe at the time of the incident.
“We measure the friction indexes out there on a constant basis and any significant change in temperature and environmental conditions, that guides the operation of that, and as I mentioned previously it was safe and operational at all times,” he said.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is assessing the incident to determine if an investigation is necessary.
Maintenance personnel inspected the plane Friday, initial reports indicate no damage to the aircraft.
Maybury praised the response of everyone involved.
“I was incredibly proud and impressed by the seamless, collaborative and efficient response of our airport community,” he said.
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