Regulations & Safety
Porter Airlines Flight Slides Off Tarmac at Halifax During Snowstorm
Porter Airlines Flight PD209 slid off the tarmac at Halifax Airport amid heavy snow. No injuries reported; runway closure impacted operations.
This article summarizes reporting by CBC News and data from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
A Porter Airlines flight carrying 64 people slid off the tarmac at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) on the evening of Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The incident occurred amidst a severe winter storm that brought heavy snow and near-zero visibility to the region. While the aircraft was disabled in deep snow for several hours, officials confirmed there were no injuries among the passengers or crew.
According to reporting by CBC News, the incident involved Flight PD209, an Embraer E195-E2 arriving from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The runway excursion took place shortly after 8:21 PM AST, following what passengers described as a standard landing. The aircraft reportedly lost traction while attempting to turn from the active runway onto a taxiway, sliding laterally into the snow.
Incident Overview and Flight Details
Flight PD209 landed on Runway 14/32 during a period of intense winter weather. Data cited in research reports indicates that the aircraft completed its landing roll successfully. The loss of control occurred specifically during the low-speed maneuver to exit the runway. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) characterized the event as a “lateral slide” rather than a high-speed overrun.
The aircraft carried 59 passengers and 5 crew members. Porter Airlines confirmed in a statement that the plane “became disabled in snow off of the taxiway after landing due to weather conditions.”
Passenger Accounts of the Slide
Passengers on board described a sudden shift in the aircraft’s movement after the initial landing. Speaking to CBC News, passenger Samuel Gaboury noted that the plane attempted to turn before losing traction.
“It really was sliding and tried to take a turn and the plane decided it wasn’t going… and we got stuck.”
, Samuel Gaboury, via CBC News
Following the excursion, the aircraft remained upright but lodged in deep snow, requiring a complex evacuation process.
Evacuation and Operational Impact
The severe weather conditions complicated efforts to deplane the passengers. According to reports, those on board were stranded for approximately 2.5 hours. Ground crews initially struggled to secure stairs to the aircraft due to ice and snow accumulation on the tarmac.
Witnesses reported that equipment, including the stairs, was “spinning out of control” due to the slick surfaces. Eventually, airport crews cleared a safe path, allowing passengers to disembark and board buses to the terminal. Despite the delay and the frightening nature of the slide, passengers reportedly praised the flight crew for maintaining calm and professionalism throughout the ordeal.
Airport Operations
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HIAA) confirmed that Runway 14/32 was closed immediately following the incident to facilitate the removal of the aircraft. However, the airport’s primary runway, 05/23, remained operational. The closure and the ongoing storm caused delays and cancellations for other flights arriving and departing Halifax on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
AirPro News Analysis
Contextualizing Runway Excursions
It is important to distinguish this event from a runway overrun. A taxiway excursion, as described in this incident, typically occurs at much lower speeds than a landing overrun. While less likely to result in catastrophic structural damage, these incidents highlight the extreme challenges of winter operations in Atlantic Canada. The rapid degradation of runway friction, even minutes after plowing, can render steering ineffective during turns, a known hazard for pilots operating in active snowstorms.
Investigation Status
As of Thursday, February 12, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is collecting information regarding the event. While a full Class-1 investigation has not been declared, the TSB is monitoring the recovery of the aircraft. Porter Airlines has dispatched resources to tow the aircraft to a hangar for a thorough inspection to ensure no hidden damage occurred during the slide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone injured on Flight PD209?
No. All 59 passengers and 5 crew members evacuated safely with no reported injuries.
What caused the plane to slide?
Preliminary reports and airline statements attribute the slide to severe weather conditions and a loss of traction while the pilot attempted to turn the aircraft off the runway onto a taxiway.
Is Halifax Airport open?
Yes. While the secondary runway (14/32) was closed for aircraft recovery, the primary runway (05/23) remained open. Travelers should check with their airlines due to weather-related delays.
Sources
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