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WestJet 737 Gear Collapses in Hard Landing at Sint Maarten, Airport Closes

Recovery teams are clearing the runway to restore flights before a formal safety probe begins.

Overview

  • Flight WS2276 from Toronto touched down around 1:30 p.m. local time when the right main landing gear failed, damaging the right wing and engine area.
  • All 164 passengers and crew evacuated via slides with no serious injuries reported, and three people underwent precautionary medical checks.
  • Princess Juliana International Airport halted operations after the aircraft came to rest on the runway, with officials targeting a reopening around midday Monday local time.
  • Emergency crews deployed foam around the aircraft as the cockpit declared an evacuation, an exchange captured on publicly available air traffic control audio.
  • WestJet and local authorities are assisting travelers and cooperating with the inquiry, and the 2009‑built Boeing 737‑800 registered C‑GWSR remains on the runway pending removal and inspection.