Morgan Freeman arrives at TIFF after private jet malfunctions

WATCH: Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton hit the red carpet for the premiere of their new film “Ruth & Alex”

TORONTO — Morgan Freeman almost didn’t make it to Friday’s world premiere of Ruth & Alex at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The 77-year-old actor, who stars in the film opposite Diane Keaton, was piloting his private jet from his home in Charleston, Mississippi when there was an equipment malfunction.

Freeman told reporters he was forced to turn his plane around and land after about 10 minutes in the air. After making repairs to the wing slats, he attempted several more flights — only to be forced to land again.

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The star finally grounding the plane and used another in his fleet to make the roughly 1,700-kilometre journey.

Freeman made it to Toronto in time for the Ruth & Alex premiere at the Ryerson Theatre.

Freeman, who as a young man repaired radar equipment for the U.S. Air Force, obtained his pilot’s license when he was 65.

BELOW: See Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton at the Ruth & Alex premiere.