Air Canada used Air North hangar


There’s been no turning back on the Air Canada Boeing 737 plane that was grounded in Whitehorse and finally left for Vancouver on Tuesday.
Last Wednesday, the Whitehorse-to-Vancouver flight got as far as Carcross with about 100 passengers aboard before it had to return due to engine problems.
After take-off there were four loud bangs from the engine. It took about 30 minutes for the plane to return and land because it had to go to Lake Laberge, then circle back south to Whitehorse.
All but 37 passengers were accommodated aboard that afternoon’s flight. The remaining passengers flew out on the next morning’s flight.
Though two mechanics flew up to work on the plane, the same problem occurred when it took off once again last Thursday. It had to return to Whitehorse again.
Air North offered the use of its hangar to fix the plane. For most of Monday, Air Canada crews were working on it, Joe Sparling, president of the local carrier, said today.
“I was anxious to know that the aircraft would fit (in our hangar),” Sparling said.
Air North is contemplating offering Whitehorse-Vancouver flights, and flights from Whitehorse to an Alberta city, using a Boeing 737. Sparling has said Air Canada has declined to enter into an agreement for the Whitehorse-Vancouver route with his airline.
Phil Dyke, customer service manager for the local Air Canada office, said this morning the engine actually had to be replaced.