Iqaluit jet blast that smashed van windows leads to new airport regs
Van owners face $3,000 repair bill, CAF spokesperson says military may reimburse
The Iqaluit Airport's director of operations says there will soon be new rules for heavy transport planes taking off from the airport.
The announcement comes days after an incident where the jet blast from a Canadian Armed Forces cargo plane taking off on the runway blew the windows out of a passing van, which was driving on a public road adjacent to the airport.
The jet, a Globemaster C-17, landed in Iqaluit last week because of bad weather in Alert. During takeoff, the plane's two engines hung over the runway and blew a cloud of gravel past the airport's chain link fence.
The Iqaluit Airport's runway is currently being resurfaced, making it narrower than usual. Other large cargo jets had been advised not to use the runway.
John Hawkins, the airport's director of operations, says that until construction is completed, airport staff will put up roadblocks whenever heavy transport planes take off.
"The construction is underway," says Hawkins. "The runway will be reconfigured back to 200 feet [or about 61 metres] on August 7. We'll take these measures up until that time."
Canadian Armed Forces investigating
The Canadian Armed Forces say they are "definitely" investigating the incident, according to spokesperson Capt. Julie Brunet, "so we don't repeat the unfortunate incident that happened outside the perimeter of the airport."
The owner of the van is facing a $3,000 repair bill, and Capt. Brunet says it's possible the Canadian Armed Forces may reimburse the owner.
"If the Armed Forces receives a claim of damage from the owner of the vehicle involved in this incident," says Capt. Brunet, "then it will be evaluated according to Canadian Armed Forces process for claims against the Crown."
The incident has raised concerns about safety in the city, which relies on the road that passes the end of the runway. People often drive or walk along the road, which heads to the Sylvia Grinnell River, the dump, the tank farm and numerous camping and fishing spots.
"If they know the plane will land or take off, block the roads," said Iqaluit resident Joe Morin.
"Put another fence or road or something," said Mathieu Brasseur.