September 7, 2025 — Sint Maarten
A WestJet flight from Toronto to Sint Maarten was forced to make an emergency landing on Saturday, prompting a full shutdown of Princess Juliana International Airport.
Flight WS2276, a Boeing 737-800, experienced a hard landing upon arrival. According to reports, the aircraft’s right main landing gear collapsed during touchdown, causing the plane to veer off course and come to a halt on the runway. Emergency response teams quickly deployed to the scene, covering the aircraft in foam as a precaution. Fortunately, no fire was reported.
All 164 passengers and crew members on board were safely evacuated using emergency slides. While there were no serious injuries, three individuals were taken for medical evaluation as a precaution. Passengers described the evacuation as swift and orderly, with flight attendants acting quickly to guide everyone off the plane.
Due to the airport’s single-runway configuration, the incident forced a complete shutdown of operations. Several incoming flights, including those operated by JetBlue and Delta, were diverted to nearby airports such as San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Local authorities, including Sint Maarten’s Prime Minister and the Minister of Tourism, confirmed that a full investigation and emergency protocol debrief would take place. Officials emphasized the importance of reviewing safety and response procedures to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Passengers affected by the incident were provided with food, lodging, and transportation vouchers as the airline and local government worked to manage the fallout from the runway closure.
Airport operations resumed several hours later after the damaged aircraft was removed and the runway inspected for structural integrity.
While investigations are still ongoing, initial assessments suggest the landing gear collapse was the primary cause of the incident. WestJet has pledged full cooperation with aviation authorities and assured passengers that safety remains their top priority.
This event highlights the challenges of operating at airports with limited infrastructure and underscores the importance of emergency preparedness in the aviation industry.
