WestJet 737 Landing Gear Collapse at 1 of the Most Dangerous Airports in the World

dailyblitz.de 6 hours ago

TORONTO— A WestJet (WS) flight from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) with 164 people onboard experienced a hard landing at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Sint Maarten on September 7, 2025.

The Boeing 737-800 appeared to bounce on touchdown before skidding down the runway, prompting an emergency evacuation.

WestJet Flight WS2276’s landing gear reportedly collapsed during the landing. Authorities confirmed that three passengers were taken for medical evaluation as a precaution, while the rest were safely evacuated.

WestJet 737 Landing Gear Collapse at St. Maarten

The incident occurred at around 1 p.m. ET when WS2276 arrived in Sint Maarten. According to audio captured by liveatc.net, the pilot issued a distress call: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday; WestJet 2276 will be evacuating.”

Emergency crews responded swiftly, spraying foam around the aircraft as a precautionary measure, though no fire was reported.

The impact reportedly damaged the right wing of the aircraft, and videos released by the airport showed collapsed landing gear on the right side.

Despite the rough landing, evacuation procedures were executed rapidly. Passengers exited via emergency slides, overseen by flight attendants trained for such situations.

Praise for Flight Attendants

Three passengers were transported for medical checks, though no serious injuries were reported. The majority of travelers were provided with hotel, food, and transportation vouchers by Sint Maarten officials within hours of the incident.

Flights in and out of SXM were temporarily suspended, with the airport announcing operations would resume by noon on Monday (September 8, 2025).

CUPE 8125, the union representing WestJet flight attendants, praised the crew’s professionalism and quick response.

Alia Hussain, the union’s president, highlighted the critical role flight attendants play in passenger safety, noting that their responsibilities often extend beyond paid working hours. Hussain emphasized that the crew’s decisive actions ensured a safe evacuation.

ATC and Pilot Comms

Here’s a detailed communication between WestJet pilots and Sint Maarten Air Traffic Controllers as recorded by LiveATC.com and flagged by You Can See ATC:

{ts:21}
ATC: Roger, 2276, runway 10, line up and wait.

{ts:42}
ATC: WestJet 2276, vacate via Echo 36.

{ts:53}
[Applause]
Pilot: WestJet 2276, center.

{ts:66}
ATC: Say again. Cross fire, rescue.

{ts:71}
ATC: Roger. Delta 18904, maintain 2,600 ft. Contact with approach 95.

{ts:82}
ATC: Go to 2,600, contact departure. We’re only half return to a hold over at vacating 2,600 ft.

{ts:93}
ATC (other traffic): Approach on one direction, approach 95, 947, fuel on board 763 [should be 7,630?], passengers 11.7,000.

{ts:117}
ATC: 11.7,000 lb of fuel confirmed.

{ts:122}
Pilot: 11,600 lb of fuel.
ATC: 11,600 lb of fuel, copy. Search and rescue on the way to 2276.

{ts:134}
ATC: Confirm any dangerous goods on board 2276.
Pilot: No danger.

{ts:139}
[Applause]
ATC: 2276, confirm your engines are off, stop.

{ts:153}
ATC: WestJet 2276, the fire department is on the runway. Requesting an update.
Pilot: Copy, stand by. We’ll be having the shut down here.

{ts:174}
ATC: 2276, can you confirm if your engines are shut down?
Pilot: Engines are shut down.

{ts:180}
ATC: Is it okay for fire department to proceed to the aircraft now?
Pilot: Yes, they can proceed.

{ts:189}
ATC: Roger 2276, fire department is asking if you’re going to deploy the chute for the emergency flight.

{ts:208}
ATC: Any update from them for 2276?
Pilot: Information from fire department: the aircraft needs to be evacuated.
ATC: Okay, copy 2276.

{ts:231}
ATC: 2276, roger. Fire department will be advised.

{ts:236}
[Applause]
ATC: 2276, fire department advised, please do not evacuate the aircraft on the starboard side.
Pilot: Okay, not on the starboard side. Roger, correct.

Investigation Underway

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed it is sending a team of investigators to Sint Maarten to assess the cause of the hard landing.

Investigators will gather information on what led to the suspected landing gear failure and examine aircraft systems and operational procedures.

Meanwhile, WestJet dispatched a recovery team to remove the aircraft from the runway. Airport officials reported that removal efforts were underway, with the goal of reopening the runway by the afternoon following the incident.

Airport Known for Challenging Approaches

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is world-famous for its low-altitude landings over Maho Beach, where aircraft approach just above beachgoers before touching down on the relatively short runway.

This approach is considered one of the most visually dramatic in commercial aviation, but also requires precise handling by flight crews.

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