Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 29/01) - It may not have been a wind gust that caused a jet to be wrecked and passengers to be frightened during a very rough landing in May.

"Weather was not a factor in this particular accident," says Transportation Safety Board spokesman Jim Harris.

After the Yellowknife landing had gone terribly wrong May 22, a passenger reported that the pilot announced a gust of wind was to blame.

The 26-year-old Boeing 737 is a write-off, First Air recently acknowledged.

The airline bought salvage rights from its insurance company. Useable items are being stripped for spare parts while everything else will be scrapped, according to spokesperson Tracy Beeman.

A new 737 costs over $60 million. Beeman said the airline is looking for a used one instead. In the meantime a 737 is being leased "until we search for a permanent aircraft to replace in our fleet."

Passengers had reported to fear for their lives aboard the afternoon flight of 956 from Edmonton, as it bounced on a Yellowknife runway. One of the 98 passengers on board had reported the 26-year-old plane made the final touchdown on just its front landing gear, blowing a tire and bending the fuselage.

The legwork of the safety board's investigation is finished, but it could be another nine months before any findings will be made public, Harris said.

"We're awaiting a report on the analysis of the flight data recorder. That should be coming soon."

The delay in releasing findings will be due to draft reports going back and forth between officials, Harris said.