Fuel conversion error causes engine failure
In 1983, Air Canada flight 143, a Boeing 767-233 registered C-GAUN, lost both engines mid-flight due to a fuel conversion error between pounds and kilograms. The aircraft was the first in Air Canada's fleet to use the metric system for fuel calculations, but the mistake resulted in it being significantly underfueled.Pilots glide to emergency landing
With both engines shut down at an altitude of more than 12,000 meters, Captain Bob Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal had to rely on a small ram air turbine to maneuver the aircraft. They could not use critical systems like air brakes or landing gear, forcing them to glide to a safe landing.Incorrect conversion factor leads to underfueling
The error began when the first officer asked the fueler for the conversion factor. The fueler provided 1.77 pounds per liter, which was incorrectly used as kilograms per liter. The correct metric density of jet fuel is 0.803 kilograms per liter, but the mistake led to only 10,100 kilograms of fuel being loaded instead of the required 22,300 kilograms.Emergency landing at former air force base
Captain Pearson, who had experience as a glider pilot, guided the aircraft to a former Royal Canadian Air Force base in Gimli, Manitoba, which had been converted into an automobile racing track. The landing, though rough, caused a dozen injuries but no fatalities among the 69 people on board.Incident becomes aviation case study
The Gimli Glider incident underscored the importance of precision in aviation and led to improved verification procedures. The event is now a case study in aviation schools and crisis management training, illustrating how human errors can lead to extreme situations and how skilled piloting can prevent disasters.
