PAL Airlines flight loses landing gear wheel in Wabush

A PAL Airlines flight lost a landing gear wheel upon touching down in Wabush, Labrador, on the morning of Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. No injuries were reported after Flight PB901, traveling from St. John’s, managed to taxi passengers off the aircraft following the failure. Joseph Galimberti, speaking for the airline, stated the aircraft endured a wheel bearing failure upon landing.

Passenger reports of smoke and wobbling

Lee Pitts, a CBC producer on the flight, captured the wheel flying off seconds after touchdown on video. Pitts told CBC he suspected a problem earlier in the trip during takeoff from Goose Bay, where a child shouted that smoke was coming from the wheel.

That observation was dismissed at the time as water spraying from a wet runway. However, Pitts said he later filmed the wheel wobbling once the plane was airborne. “Whether it was steam or smoke, I don’t know, but it could have been smoke from a wheel bearing or brake pad, in hindsight,” Pitts said.

Transport Canada investigates PAL Airlines landing gear failure

Following the landing, maintenance crews inspected the gear, but Pitts claims passengers were not informed of the specific failure. Passengers were told the airline was unsure if flights could continue. PAL later issued a written statement confirming an additional aircraft was dispatched to allow customers to complete their travel.

PAL has been in contact with Transport Canada, which is investigating the incident to determine the cause. While a CBC video caption mentions Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the independent body for aviation occurrences, has not been mentioned in current reports.

Unresolved details of Flight PB901

Several specifics remain unconfirmed. Reports as of Oct. 31 do not include the aircraft’s registration, the total number of people on board, or which specific wheel detached. It is also unknown if the crew was alerted to the smoke or wobbling reported by the passenger.

Flight schedules from Trip.com and FlightStats list PB901 as a Dash 8-400 service, though this is a listed type and not confirmed airframe data for Friday’s flight. Airbus safety guidance warns that failed bearings can damage brakes and landing gear, potentially leading to parts departing the aircraft.

Possible next steps for the investigation

Transport Canada is investigating the incident to determine the cause of the wheel bearing failure.

Which aircraft and services were involved?

Which aircraft model was involved in the incident?

While not officially confirmed for this specific flight, schedule listings on FlightStats and Trip.com list PB901 as a Dash 8-400 service.

Did the airline provide alternative transportation?

Yes. A spokesperson for PAL Airlines stated in a written statement that an additional aircraft was dispatched so that customers could continue their travel.

Has PAL Airlines had similar gear issues in the past?

The TSB has examined PAL landing gear events at least twice since 2018, including a nose gear strut leak and a blown tire, though there is no known link to this specific wheel failure.

“The first thing I thought was I am glad I am taking the video because no one is going to believe this,” said Lee Pitts.