Sunwing Plane Crash Lands Without Landing Gear, 13 Confirmed Dead

Tragedy struck the Canadian aviation industry on Sunday when a Sunwing Airlines flight made an emergency belly landing after experiencing critical landing gear failure, claiming the lives of 13 passengers. The flight, which was en route from Cancun, Mexico, to Toronto, Canada, was forced to attempt a gear-up landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport after pilots reported a malfunction in the plane’s hydraulic system.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, carrying 178 passengers and six crew members, began experiencing mechanical difficulties during the final phase of its descent. According to preliminary reports released by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), the aircraft’s landing gear failed to deploy due to what investigators suspect was a hydraulic system failure. Despite the crew’s best efforts, they were unable to extend the gear manually, leading to a belly landing that resulted in a fiery crash upon impact.

Harrowing Moments in the Sky

According to passengers on board, the cabin crew remained calm and professional as the situation unfolded. One survivor, Maria Gomez, described the scene inside the aircraft as “tense but orderly.”

“About 20 minutes before landing, the captain came on the intercom and said we were having an issue with the landing gear. He told us we were going to land without wheels and that the crew was trained for such situations,” Gomez said. “People were crying, praying, holding hands. The flight attendants instructed us how to brace and kept encouraging us to stay calm.”

Flight SWG726 had departed Cancun at 11:10 a.m. local time and was scheduled to land in Toronto at 3:45 p.m. The problem was detected approximately 45 minutes before landing. The pilots circled the airport to burn fuel and allow emergency services to prepare for a possible crash landing.

As the aircraft touched down on its belly, sparks and smoke erupted from the fuselage. Fire crews and emergency responders stationed along the runway acted swiftly, extinguishing the flames and evacuating passengers. Tragically, 13 people—10 passengers and 3 crew members—died as a result of the impact and ensuing fire. At least 35 others were injured, with some in critical condition at local hospitals.

Response and Investigation

Toronto Pearson International Airport was placed on emergency lockdown following the crash. All inbound and outbound flights were temporarily suspended for several hours as rescue operations took place.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched a full investigation into the incident. In a press briefing late Sunday night, TSB spokesperson Danielle Morin stated that the aircraft’s black boxes—the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder—had been recovered and were being analyzed.

“Initial indications point to a hydraulic system failure that prevented landing gear deployment,” Morin confirmed. “However, we are keeping all possibilities open until the investigation is complete. It is too early to determine whether this was a mechanical fault, maintenance issue, or another factor.”

Sunwing Airlines CEO Mark Wexler expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and promised full cooperation with investigators. “We are heartbroken by this tragedy and are doing everything in our power to support the families affected,” Wexler said. “Our pilots and crew demonstrated immense courage under extraordinary circumstances.”

Sunwing has temporarily grounded all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in its fleet pending further inspection.

Victims Identified

As of Monday morning, authorities had identified 11 of the 13 deceased individuals. Among the victims were two children under the age of 10, a Canadian newlywed couple returning from their honeymoon, and a flight attendant who had been with Sunwing for more than 12 years.

The names of the deceased are being withheld until all next of kin have been notified. Vigils and memorial services are already being planned in several Canadian cities.

Hospitals across Toronto have confirmed that they are treating multiple survivors with burn injuries, broken bones, and other trauma-related conditions. The Ontario Ministry of Health has mobilized additional resources to support victims and their families.

Heroic Crew Actions Praised

While the incident has raised serious concerns about aviation safety and aircraft maintenance, praise has also poured in for the pilots and cabin crew who reportedly managed to keep panic under control and execute a textbook belly landing under extreme pressure.

Aviation analyst and former commercial pilot Peter Langley stated in an interview with CBC News that the crew’s response likely prevented an even greater loss of life.

“Landing a commercial jet without landing gear is one of the most difficult emergency procedures a pilot can face. The fact that the aircraft remained mostly intact and that over 160 people survived is a testament to the skill and training of the crew,” Langley said.

He added that while the crash is a major tragedy, it will also serve as a case study in aviation safety for years to come.

Government Response and Support

Canada’s Minister of Transport, Annick Fournier, issued a statement on Sunday evening, offering condolences and pledging full governmental support for the investigation and the families affected.

“This is a dark day for Canadian aviation,” Fournier said. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted. We will leave no stone unturned in understanding what happened and ensuring this never happens again.”

The federal government is working with Sunwing to arrange psychological counseling, financial support, and repatriation services for the victims’ families. Additional staff have also been deployed to assist travelers affected by the disruption of flights at Pearson Airport.

A Troubling Pattern?

This incident comes at a time of heightened scrutiny for Boeing aircraft, especially the 737 series, which has been involved in several high-profile safety issues in recent years. While the 737-800 is not part of the troubled MAX series, some aviation experts are calling for more rigorous oversight and inspections of all aging aircraft in commercial fleets.

Sunwing, a Canadian low-cost carrier that primarily operates leisure flights to vacation destinations, has not had a fatal accident in its nearly two decades of operation until now. The company operates a fleet of about 30 aircraft, most of which are Boeing 737 variants.

With public confidence in air travel shaken by this incident, the airline industry is once again bracing for increased regulatory scrutiny and demands for accountability.

Moving Forward

As recovery teams continue to examine the wreckage, and families begin the painful process of mourning loved ones, many Canadians are left asking how such a catastrophic failure could happen—and how it can be prevented in the future.

For now, Sunwing’s once-routine flight from paradise has turned into a devastating reminder of the risks inherent in air travel, and of the heroism often displayed in the face of unthinkable danger.