Porter plane has engine trouble but lands safely

A Porter Airlines Bombardier Dash-8 carrying around 70 people had engine trouble today and emergency fire and medical services were dispatched to the airport as it landed said Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services Platoon Chief Richard Pihlaja.

On Sunday, Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services and Emergency Medical Services were called by the airport’s fire department to sit standby as the airplane — which at the time had about 3900 litres of fuel left — landed, said the platoon chief.

The Sault fire department dispatched three trucks and their command unit to the scene.

The plane landed safely without incident or injuries around 5:22 p.m. said Pihlaja.

“It was more as a precaution,” said Pihlaja, referring to his department being dispatched. “I’ve been on the job 30 years and this has happened about 8 times.”

A spokesperson from Porter Airlines was not available however, according to the company’s web site, Porter flight 687 from Toronto was scheduled to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie at 5:08 p.m. but was delayed by 18 minutes.