On July 9, 2023, a car parked underneath an Air Canada Boeing 777-300 caught fire, causing damage at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
Several witnesses recorded the incident and posted the dramatic clip to social media. The videos show black smoke plumes rising from the car and engulfing the plane’s tail.
There were no recorded casualties or injuries after the incident, which happened at about 15:15 local time. Within 30 minutes, the fire had been extinguished.
A water truck that transported potable water to aircraft tanks was the vehicle that caught fire. What started the car on fire is still unknown.
The Air Canada flight (flight CA 885) from Geneva Airport (GVA) in Switzerland had just landed, and the last few Geneva passengers rapidly disembarked.
The exact amount of the aircraft’s damage is still under investigation, however, video obtained by a passenger on another flight revealed the fire’s aftermath. The rear section of the B777 aircraft has scorch traces that lead up to the aircraft door.
The Boeing 777 aircraft was damaged by the fire, and JACDEC posted a detailed analysis of the damage.
The aircraft is currently down for maintenance inspection, according to Air Canada, which was confirmed to Montreal CTV news.
Uh oh!!! @AirCanada ground equipment #fire at @yulaeroport #Montreal #Airport pic.twitter.com/rPoICuqgtn
— Ken Ying (@Ken_Ying) July 9, 2023
