Wendy Gillis Staff Reporter

An Air Canada plane bound for Montreal got stuck at Billy Bishop airport last night when one of its wheels sank in muddy grass beside the runway as the pilot made a wide turn.

Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said “an unfortunate combination of circumstances” led to the Tuesday night incident, which, grounded the plane and its 16 passengers just three days after the airline resumed flights out of the island airport.

Fitzpatrick said the Bombardier Q400 was on its way to the runway when its right rear wheel rolled off the cement and onto the grass, where it promptly sank.

“If it hadn’t been raining so much I’m sure it would have just gone over the grass,” said Fitzpatrick. “No one would have known. It would have just rolled back onto the cement.”

To get to the runway the plane was to use, the pilot had to make a sharp turn. “This pilot was experienced, but he kind of went a little wide I guess on making the turn,” Fitzpatrick said.

No one was hurt and passengers were put on the next flight. However, the plane remained stuck into the night before it could be pulled back onto the paved surface. It was back in service Wednesday.

Air Canada resumed service out of Billy Bishop airport on Sunday for the first time since February 2006.