Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 54 seconds.
On July 23, 1983, Air Canada Flight 143, a fully loaded Boeing 767 passenger jet, took off from Montreal with a stopover in Ottawa on to its final destination in Edmonton.
At 41,000 feet (12,500 metres) while flying over Red Lake, Ont., during its final leg to Edmonton, the plane ran out of fuel.
At the controls of the plane were Capt Robert Pearson and first officer Maurice Quintal, two highly experienced pilots who “dead-stick” landed the 767 without power to a remote airport in Gimli – saving hundreds of lives.
The story of the Gimli Glider and its flight crew is part of Canadian lore.
Subsequent investigations revealed a combination of errors, including a miscalculation of fuel loading at both Montreal and Ottawa airports due to a misunderstanding of the recently adopted metric system.
On Jan. 24, 2008 the Gimli Glider took its final trip, where it was retired to the Mojave Desert in California.
Recently, MotoArt Studios, well known for turning vintage aircraft into functional art, acquired pieces of the Gimli Glider to bring new life to this legendary aircraft which will be presented in a special live broadcast with MotoArt owner Dave Hall along with special guests, including Gimli Glider author and expert Wade Nelson.
Coverage will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. Eastern time live from MotoArt Studios in El Segundo, Cali.
Viewers can watch free here and ask questions to the broadcast team by using the hashtag #motoartgimli
Dave Hall, MotoArt owner, said: “The story of the Gimli Glider is one of mistakes, skill, and luck. Before the plane was completely destroyed, we were fortunate enough to purchase pieces of the lucky aircraft. We look forward to reliving the events of that day and highlighting the incredible stories as told by the passengers, pilots, and experts.”
Gimli author Wade Nelson said: “If a Boeing 767 runs out of fuel at 41,000 feet what do you have? Answer: A 132 ton glider with a sink rate of over 2,000 feet-per-minute and marginally enough hydraulic pressure to control the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. Put veteran pilots Bob Pearson and cool-as-a-cucumber Maurice Quintal in the cockpit and you’ve got the unbelievable but true story of Air Canada Flight 143, known ever since as the Gimli Glider.”
