AC 143
23 Jul 1983 · Fuel Starvation & ManagementAIR CANADA FLIGHT 143 — 'THE GIMLI GLIDER'
Boeing 767-200 · Air Canada · Image: Wikimedia Commons
Why it happened
Metric conversion error loaded half the fuel
Fuel quantity (kg vs lb)
Fuel computer fault
Dead-stick glide
Aircraft
Boeing 767-200
Air Canada
Route
Montreal–Dorval (YUL), Canada
→ Edmonton (YEG), Canada
People
69 on board
All survived
Date
23 Jul 1983
Flight crew
Captain: Bob Pearson
Category
Fuel Starvation & Management
Empty tanks at altitude.
THE STORY
A kilograms-vs-pounds mix-up loaded half the needed fuel. Both engines died at 41,000 ft; the 767 glided to a drag-racing strip at Gimli.