PRINCESS JULIANA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SINT MAARTEN — A WestJet flight from Toronto (YYZ) made a “hard landing” at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on Sunday, prompting an emergency evacuation of all 164 passengers and crew. While no serious injuries were reported, three individuals were taken for medical evaluation out of an abundance of caution.
The incident, involving a Boeing 737-800, occurred on Sunday afternoon. According to eyewitnesses and video footage, the aircraft appeared to touch down with significant force, resulting in the collapse of its right main landing gear. The plane then skidded along the runway, causing damage to its right wing and engine casing, which scraped the tarmac and produced sparks and smoke. Emergency services responded immediately, deploying fire-retardant foam as a precautionary measure, and passengers were safely evacuated using the aircraft’s emergency slides.
The incident caused significant operational disruptions, leading to the temporary closure of the airport’s runway. Inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports, and outbound flights faced delays or cancellations. Airport authorities have since mobilized to remove the disabled aircraft and conduct a full runway inspection to ensure safety before resuming normal operations.
Both the Sint Maarten Civil Aviation Authority and WestJet have confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. Investigators are expected to examine flight data, maintenance records, and weather conditions at the time of the landing. In a statement, WestJet praised the professionalism of its crew and pledged its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
This incident marks another challenging event for the popular Caribbean airport, which is known for its difficult approach over Maho Beach.
