Smoke engulfs plane when truck catches fire at airport

An Air Canada Boeing 777 has been damaged by fire while parked at the gate in Montreal. 

AIR CANADA BOEING 777-333 C-FITW (MSN 35298)

The Boeing 777-333ER with registration C-FITL had arrived in Montreal (YUL/CYUL) as flight AC885 from Geneva (GVA/LSGG). However, while it was parked at gate 66, a service truck that was located underneath the aircraft caught fire. The fire reportedly began in the engine of the vehicle and quickly spread across the vehicle. As a result, the aircraft was engulfed in flames and thick black smoke. Due to the blaze, thick smoke entered the aircraft cabin. An airline spokesperson confirmed that some passengers were still on the plane when the fire broke out. 

Terrified flyers were evacuated from the jet, which appeared to have suffered severe damage to the rear of the fuselage. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze on the tarmac. They said the fire was controlled within half an hour and no injuries were reported.

Airport spokesperson Anne Marcotte said the situation “was brought under control very quickly”.
An Air Canada spokesperson added: “The crew responded professionally by ensuring the quick deplanement of remaining passengers from the aircraft.

“The aircraft is currently off-line for a maintenance inspection.”
An investigation has been opened into the incident.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air Canada

Code: AC/ACA

Aircraft: Boeing 777-333

Registration: C-FITL

Serial number: 35256

Engines: 2 x GE GE90-115BL2
First flew: 21/03/2007
Age: 16.3 years