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Smoke causes unexpected landing in Sandspit

A Pacific Coastal Airlines plane flying from Masset to Vancouver made an unexpected stop at the Sandspit airport July 29 after a flight attendant reported smoke and a strong electrical burning smell in the cabin. Transport Canada communications officer Sara Hof said the plane, a Saab SF34 turbo prop built in 1987, landed safely at 11:55 am, 40 minutes after leaving Masset. The pilot did not declare an emergency, she said. This type of event is called a "precautionary landing". By the time the plane landed, the crew reported that the smoke and smell had dissipated somewhat. According to the Transport Canada report into the incident, an inspection revealed an overhead fluorescent lighting strip at seat 6A which smelled of burnt electrical wiring.