SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Canadian North flight bound for Rankin Inlet made an emergency landing at the Yellowknife Regional Airport on Friday.

A Canadian North flight from Yellowknife to Rankin Inlet was cut short Friday morning when the pilot was forced to turn the flight around after one of the Boeing 737's engines failed. - Alyssa Smith/NNSL photo

The Boeing 737 with 32 people onboard touched down safely, even though it had been flying on only one of its two engines for about an hour.

Police, fire and ambulance personnel were all standing by at the airport waiting for the plane to land, but in the end were not needed.

Steve Loutitt, manager of the Yellowknife Airport, said the investigation into the mechanical failure is now up to Canadian North and Transport Canada.

"From our point of view the incident is now closed," he said.

Rick McDougall, a passenger, told Yellowknifer he had nothing but confidence in the airline, and would not hesitate to fly with Canadian North again.

McDougall works in Iqaluit and was on his way there.

"Just waiting to find out when we'll get out of here," he said.

Steve Hanka, a spokesperson with Canadian North, told Yellowknifer a warning light for one of the aircraft's engines came on in the cockpit, and as per the manufacturer's instructions, the pilot shut down the engine as a precautionary measure.

He compared the warning to a low oil-pressure light in a vehicle.

"The airplane flies perfectly well on one engine," he said. "It's designed to do that."

Hanka said the 28 passengers were able to resume their flight to Rankin Inlet Saturday morning.

Canadian North provided the passengers with meal vouchers and hotel rooms while they waited for their flight.

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