On March 23, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by WestJet had taken off for a flight from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Calgary (YYC) when the flight crew encountered two system warnings. The second problem could not be resolved, a PAN PAN was declared and the aircraft returned to Toronto.
Details of the incident
On Thursday, March 23, a Westjet Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered C-FQGG, was operating flight WS4201 from Toronto to Calgary. According to data from FlightRadar24.com, the plane had taken off at 16:23 and encountered problems shortly after take-off.
Photo: FlightRadar24.com
According to The Aviation Herald, the aircraft was leveling off at FL360 when a low hydraulic pump pressure indication was observed. As regards the pump driven by engine no. 2 of the aircraft, the crew worked through the related checklist and cleared the indication. However, “a short time later” the oil filter bypass light illuminated. Despite working through the related checklist, the crew was unable to clear the indication and proceeded to shut down the engine. Flying over an area between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, Ontario, a PAN PAN was declared and the flight diverted back to Toronto. At approximately 18:00 local time, the 737 MAX landed safely on runway 33R at Pearson.
An unsecured water line
According to The Aviation Herald, a Canadian TSB report notes that the airline’s maintenance had discovered quick disconnection of the hydraulic linet between pump driven by engine no. 2 and engine pylon no. 2 had become uninsured. After the line was re-secured, WestJet conducted an inspection of the entire fleet quick disconnect hydraulic connectors to make sure they were all in their locked positions.
FlightRadar24.com reports that the plane involved in the March 23 incident was grounded for five days. It only returned to service on March 28 as flight WS665, another Toronto to Calgary service. Since returning to service, the aircraft has completed nine flights without incident. However, on March 31, its WS1040 service from Halifax to Orlando was canceled for unknown reasons.
C-FQGG is one of 23 737 MAX 8s operated by WestJet. According to Planespotters.net, the plane is actually quite new, having been delivered to the airline in January 2023. Its serial number is 65426, while its line number is 8472 . Like other MAX 8s in the fleet, the aircraft is configured with 12 premium seats and another 162 in standard economy.
About the engines that power the Boeing 737 MAX
An exclusive, single-option engine powers the Boeing 737 MAX in LEAP-1B form. This engine is designed, produced and marketed by CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE. According to Safran, the LEAP-1B has accumulated more than 20 million flight hours since entering service in 2017. The engine has a maximum takeoff thrust of 28,000 lbf.
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Sources: The Aviation Herald, Planespotters.net, FlightRadar24.com
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WestJet today resumed commercial flights with its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. Photo: Getty Images WestJet
- IATA/ICAO code:
- WS/WJA
- Airline type:
- Full service carrier
- Hub(s):
- Calgary International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport
- Year of foundation:
- 1994
- CEO:
- Alexis von Hoensbroech
- Country:
- canada
