WestJet 737 MAX 8 Engine Fire Prompts Evacuation at Vancouver Airport
A WestJet aircraft was evacuated via emergency slides after a small engine fire broke out after its landing in Vancouver on 12 July 2025.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. local time, as the aircraft shutting down at the gate.
WestJet WS1285 Ground Incident
WestJet flight WS1285, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, had landed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Saturday evening.
The flight was a scheduled service from Tampa, Florida. As the aircraft was shutting down at the gate, a small engine tailpipe fire broke out
Swift action by onboard emergency systems extinguished the fire before airport crews arrived. According to safety protocol, the crew deployed inflatable evacuation slides. This allowed approximately 50 passengers to disembark the aircraft swiftly.
The emergency disembarkation procedure caused no injuries. Passengers praised the crew’s quick response, with one traveler noting the calm and organized evacuation process.
Local news source Vancouver Sun reported that WestJet and YVR airport staff worked efficiently to manage the situation. “There were no injuries and there are no impacts to other flights or YVR operations,” said Vancouver International Airport spokeswoman Chloe Reynaud in a statement.
The airline removed the aircraft from service for maintenance and inspection.
Federal investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada were dispatched to examine the cause of the fire. The incident did not disrupt other flights or airport operations at YVR.
WestJet emphasized their commitment to safety, stating that the evacuation was a precautionary measure.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft conducting the WS1285 service from Tampa International Airport (TPA) was a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered C-FNWD.
This is a 7.1 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier WestJet. It has been in operational service with the airline since June 2018.
Tailpipe fires, though rare, can occur due to fuel residue igniting during engine shutdown. The exact cause remains under investigation, and findings will likely inform future safety protocols.
