Porter Flight PD478 Slides Off Taxiway at Hamilton Airport Amid Winter Weather
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A Porter Airlines flight slid off a taxiway at Hamilton airport due to weather, with no injuries reported among the 78 people on board.
Key Takeaways
- •Slid off a taxiway at Hamilton airport (YHM) after landing safely from Edmonton.
- •Carried 78 passengers and crew with no injuries reported.
- •Caused a brief runway closure and the diversion of two flights to Toronto.
- •Marks the second winter ground incident for Porter Airlines in February 2026.
A Porter Airlines flight slid off a taxiway at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) on Wednesday following a safe landing, marking the second similar ground incident for the airline in February 2026. No injuries were reported among the 78 passengers and crew on board the aircraft, which was operating as flight PD478 from Edmonton.
The incident involved an Embraer E195 aircraft whose nose wheel slightly left the paved surface while taxiing to the gate. In a statement, Porter Airlines confirmed that the aircraft lost traction due to weather conditions. The operational impact was minimal but immediate; an airport spokesperson noted that runways were closed for a brief period as a precaution, leading to the diversion of two flights to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Incident Details and Regulatory Response
Flight PD478 had completed its journey from Edmonton and landed without issue before the taxiway excursion occurred. According to a report from Global News, both the airline and airport officials confirmed the sequence of events. Passengers were deplaned from the aircraft on the taxiway and bussed to the terminal.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), the agency responsible for investigating air transportation occurrences, has been notified of the event. A TSB spokesperson confirmed the agency is aware of the Porter Airlines Hamilton incident and is currently in the process of gathering information. At this stage, the TSB has not deployed investigators to the site, a standard initial step while the board assesses the severity and circumstances of the occurrence. All such events are typically logged in the Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS), which is maintained by Transport Canada (TC) to track incidents that could affect aviation safety in Canada.
A Pattern of Winter Operations Challenges
This event at Hamilton's airport is notable as it is the second taxiway incident involving a Porter Airlines aircraft in a short timeframe. On February 12, 2026, another Porter flight experienced a similar issue in Halifax when it became stuck in snow after landing. These back-to-back incidents highlight the inherent challenges of airport winter operations and place a focus on ground handling procedures during adverse weather.
Porter Airlines operates a mixed fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft. The airline has been undergoing significant expansion, adding numerous E195-E2 jets to serve longer routes across North America. Maintaining a high level of operational safety and reliability, particularly during Canada's challenging winter months, is crucial as the airline continues to grow its network and passenger base.
What Comes Next
The immediate next steps involve the TSB's assessment of the information gathered from the airline, the airport, and air traffic control. Based on this initial review, the TSB will determine whether the incident warrants a full Class 3 or Class 4 investigation. Such an investigation would seek to identify contributing factors and any underlying safety deficiencies, potentially leading to safety recommendations for the industry. Porter Airlines will conduct its own internal safety review of the incident, as is standard procedure for all air carriers. Airport authorities at YHM will also review their snow and ice control procedures to ensure they remain effective for all operating aircraft.
Why This Matters
This incident, while resulting in no injuries, underscores the persistent risks associated with ground operations during winter weather. For an expanding carrier like Porter Airlines, maintaining passenger confidence and operational integrity is paramount. The event serves as a reminder to the broader Canadian aviation industry of the critical importance of robust procedures for taxiway and runway condition reporting and management to prevent similar excursions.
Stay ahead of the airline industry with commercial aviation news from flying.flights. Get the latest updates on major hubs, regional terminals, and airport operations via the Airports section at flying.flights/airports.
Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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