Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER Experiences Engine Compressor Stall During Toronto Takeoff

An Air Canada flight bound for Paris on June 5 encountered an engine compressor stall shortly after takeoff from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The incident involved flight AC872, which had just departed runway 23 en route to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) with 400 passengers on board.

The Boeing 777-300ER, registered C-FIUV, experienced engine flashes and flames from its right-hand engine, prompting the crew to return to Toronto immediately. Emergency services and maintenance teams met the aircraft upon landing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and passengers were quickly accommodated onto a replacement aircraft.

Videos shared on social media captured the dramatic engine flashes, which Air Canada explained could occur due to air flow variations within the engine, causing fuel to ignite and produce visible flames. The 16-year-old aircraft, powered by two General Electric GE GE90-115BL2 engines, has been in service with Air Canada since March 2008 and features a three-class configuration with 40 business, 24 premium, and 336 economy class seats.

Air traffic control recordings revealed a quick response to the incident, with ATC alerting the crew about the fire. The pilot acknowledged the situation, and the aircraft safely returned to Pearson shortly after reaching an altitude of around 3,300 feet.

The original flight, scheduled to depart at 20:45, eventually left the gate at 21:20. After the compressor stall, a replacement flight using another Boeing 777-300ER, registration C-FIVQ, was arranged. This aircraft departed at 01:48 on June 6 and arrived in Paris at 14:35, causing a four-hour delay for the return service to Toronto.

Air Canada praised the pilots for their swift actions and is currently investigating the cause of the compressor stall. The affected aircraft has been temporarily removed from service.