Calgary Joins Vancouver, Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta with all Emergency Landings Led by WestJet: What You Need to Know

Between January 2022 and January 2026 WestJet reported a series of emergency landings and diversions. Faulty engines, pressurisation failures, unruly passengers, crew illnesses and a landing‑gear collapse forced aircraft to descend unexpectedly or divert[1]. No fatalities occurred, but the frequency of incidents raised questions about maintenance and passenger behaviour. This report presents a concise chronology, grouping similar events to highlight patterns and lessons.

2023: engines flame out and pressurisationalarms

In 2023 WestJet faced two notable emergencies. On 2 March a Dash 8 flight from Kamloops to Calgary suffered a right‑engine flame‑out, prompting a descent and diversion to Kelowna[1]. Then on 21 October a Boeing 737‑8 MAX from Puerto Vallarta to Calgary triggered pack caution lights and a cabin altitude warning, forcing an emergency descent and diversion to Phoenix; two passengers received minor injuries[3]. Both incidents were managed safely but highlighted vulnerabilities in engine and pressurisation systems.

2024: cabin scares, passenger chaos and crew illness

The year 2024 brought a cluster of varied crises. Two flights were diverted when passengers attempted to open emergency exits[4][5]. Another flight lost cabin pressure and executed a rapid descent before continuing to its destination[6]. A Boeing 737‑700 returned to Las Vegas after a suspected engine problem[7]. Finally, on 4 December, an off‑duty pilot replaced an ill first officer so that the flight could continue without declaring an emergency[8]. These events underscored the need for strict cabin discipline, resilient pressurisation systems and contingency plans for crew health.

2025: gear collapses, engine woes and a medical diversion

In 2025 WestJet’s difficulties intensified. A Boeing 737‑800 landing in Sint Maarten suffered a right main‑gear collapsecaused by a fractured trunnion pin[2]. Two separate Boeing 737s experienced engine failures within eight days: one lost power on final approach to Vancouver[9], and another shut down an engine after oil‑pressure warnings while en route from Comox to Calgary[10]. Late in the year a Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner transmitted the 7700 emergency code over Northern Ireland due to a passenger medical crisis and continued to London once the passenger was stabilised[11]. These episodes emphasised the diverse causes of emergency landings, from gear defects to engine problems and medical emergencies.

2026: a near‑miss on departure

Early 2026 brought a cautionary incident. On 2 January a Dash 8‑400 departing Vancouver for Victoria descended unexpectedly when the autopilot captured the wrong altitude[12]. Air traffic control issued a low‑altitude warning, the crew disconnected the autopilot and climbed manually, and the aircraft landed without further incident[12]. The event was monitored but not formally investigated.

Category‑wise summary table (Jan 2022 – Jan 2026)

Category	Dates & Flights	Causes	Outcomes
Engine failures and issues	2 Mar 2023 (WS 3252), 8 Jul 2024 (WS 1449), 12 Oct 2025 (WS 707), 20 Oct 2025 (WS 310)	Flame‑out, suspected engine problem, loss of power on final, low oil pressure[1][7][9][10]	Engines were shut down or managed; crews diverted or continued approaches and landed safely; maintenance replaced components[1][7][9][10]
Pressurisationfaults	21 Oct 2023 (WS 2251), 2 Mar 2024 (WS 131)	Pack caution lights and cabin altitude warning; cabin lost pressure[3][6]	Emergency descents; flights diverted or continued after pressure restored[3][6]
Passenger misconduct	17 Feb 2024 (WS 710), 28 May 2024 (Terrace – Calgary)	Passengers attempted to open doors or exits[4][5]	Flights diverted or returned; individuals arrested and assessed[4][5]
Crew incapacitation	4 Dec 2024 (WS 129)	First officer became ill[8]	Off‑duty pilot replaced him; flight continued to destination[8]
Landing‑gear failure	7 Sep 2025 (WS 2276)	Right main gear collapsed on landing due to fractured trunnion pin[2]	Aircraft remained on runway; passengers evacuated; one minor injury[2]
Medical emergency	22 Dec 2025 (WS 2)	Passenger required urgent medical assistance[11]	Emergency declared; flight continued after stabilisingpassenger; patient treated on arrival[13]
Near‑miss autopilot incident	2 Jan 2026 (WS 3405)	Autopilot captured wrong altitude and commanded descent[12]	Crew disconnected autopilot and climbed manually; landing proceeded normally[12]

Conclusion

Between early 2022 and January 2026 WestJet experienced a surprising variety of emergencies. Engines flamed out, pressurisation systems failed, landing gear collapsed and passengers misbehaved. Crews responded decisively by descending rapidly, shutting down engines, diverting or continuing only when safe to do so. Every aircraft landed without serious injury, and subsequent investigations prompted component replacements and operational adjustments[1][2]. The near‑miss autopilot event in 2026 underscored that even routine departures can harbour risks[12]. Overall, the pattern of incidents highlights the need for diligent maintenance, crew readiness and passenger cooperation to safeguard the skies.

The post Calgary Joins Vancouver, Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta with all Emergency Landings Led by WestJet: What You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.