An Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX veered off the runway at Montréal‑Trudeau International Airport on Thursday, July 9, 2026 [1].
The incident disrupted air traffic at one of Canada's busiest hubs and raises questions about the cause of the excursion. While no one was hurt, the event forced a temporary runway closure that impacted multiple flights and passengers.
The aircraft arrived from Los Angeles with 156 passengers [2] and six crew members [3] on board. After landing, the plane left the paved surface, moving either off the runway or the taxiway [1, 4]. Reports vary on the exact point of the excursion, but the result was a significant operational delay at the airport [4, 5].
Emergency crews responded to the scene and ensured the safety of all occupants. Officials said there were zero injuries reported among the 162 people on the flight [6].
The runway closure led to a cascade of delays and cancellations. Some flights to other cities, including Vancouver, were affected as the airport managed the aftermath of the incident [7].
Air Canada and airport officials said they have not yet determined why the aircraft veered off course. The cause remains under investigation [8].
“No injuries were reported among the 162 people on the flight.”
Runway excursions, while often resulting in no injuries, trigger rigorous safety audits by aviation authorities. The use of a Boeing 737 MAX—a model that has undergone intense global scrutiny—means investigators will likely focus on both mechanical performance and pilot input to determine if the drift was caused by environmental factors or technical failure.
