WestJet Boeing 737 makes hard landing in Sint Maarten, runway reopened

A WestJet Boeing 737-800 (carrying registration C-GWSR) experienced a hard landing at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), Sint Maarten, on September 7, forcing the temporary closure of the island’s only runway and the evacuation of more than 160 passengers.

Flight WS2276, operating from Toronto in Canada to Sint Maarten, touched down on runway 10 around 13:28 local time. Upon landing, the aircraft’s right main landing gear collapsed, causing the jet to skid on its nose gear, left gear, and right engine nacelle.

Emergency services responded within minutes, applying foam and water as a precaution. After about eight minutes, the crew initiated an evacuation using slides. All 164 passengers and crew safely evacuated; three individuals received precautionary medical checks.

Princess Juliana International Airport, known for its spectacular beachside approaches, has only one operational runway. The hard landing forced authorities to suspend all traffic for several hours, diverting inbound flights to nearby San Juan, Puerto Rico. Operations resumed later in the evening once the aircraft was removed and the runway inspected.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has dispatched investigators to Sint Maarten to assess the circumstances of the landing. The Boeing 737-800 involved (registration C-GWSR) has been part of WestJet’s fleet since 2009.

While the damaged aircraft remained on the tarmac, the airport’s official Facebook page published short updates featuring a spokesperson reporting directly from beside the aircraft. The unusual setting — with the visibly damaged Boeing 737 in the background — stood out as an unconventional but transparent way of communicating the airport’s recovery process to the public.