A Jazz CRJ900 operating from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on Monday made an unplanned returned to Quebec. This move happened after the aircraft's flight crew reported smoke in the cabin.

The 75-seat twin-engine jet aircraft registration number C-GFJZ performing flight AC-8831 had just reached its cruising altitude of 33,000 feet when the incident occurred. The Aviation Herald first reported the information regarding flight AC-8831 on Friday.

After smelling smoke, the aircraft returned to Montreal

On smelling the smoke, the pilots declared an emergency, saying that they would return to Montreal. When on approach into runway 06R, the crew requested ambulances to be dispatched. Additionally, they advised air traffic control that they may need to evacuate the aircraft on the runway.

After having safely landed some 21 minutes after reporting smoke in the cabin, the regional jet stopped on the runway so that emergency services could assess the situation. Once it was determined that the 12 passengers and three crew members were not in any danger, the aircraft taxied to the apron where the passengers disembarked as normal.

flight AC-8831
The aircraft landed back in Montreal 21 minutes after having reported the smoke. Image Flightradar24

Upon entering the aircraft, the emergency services saw no signs of smoke. However, they did confirm that there was a smell from what they thought was an electrical fire. When the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) inspected the plane, they determined that a light ballast in the cabin was the source of the scent and that it had now been replaced.

Who is Jazz Aviation?

Jazz Aviation, or just Jazz, as the airline is usually referred to, is a Canadian regional airline based at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) in Nova Scotia. Jazz provides local and charter flights within Canada and to the United States. For the vast majority of its flights, it operates under contract with Air Canada using the name Air Canada Express.

jazz-air-canada
Jazz flies as Air Canada Express. Photo: RAF-YYC via Wikimedia

In terms of fleet size, Jazz Aviation is the third largest airline in Canada. However, it is not as big when it comes to passenger activity, destinations served, and employee numbers. The airline also has hubs at the following airports:

  • Toronto Pearson International Airport.
  • Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
  • Calgary International Airport (YYC).
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
  • Victoria International Airport (YYJ).

From these locations, Jazz flies to 79 destinations in Canada and the United States.

Jazz Aviation has a fleet of 33 aircraft

According to Planespotters.net, Jazz Aviation has a fleet comprised of the following aircraft:

Five Bombardier CRJ200s, 11 Bombardier CRJ900s, seven De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300s, and 10 De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400s.

Air Canada Jazz operates Dash 8 freighter
Jazz recently announced it would be operating cargo routes with reconfigured Dash 8 aircraft. Photo: Air Canada

Designed to operate without the need for an external staircase or air-gate, the CRJ900 is ideally suited for quick turn arounds. Another feature of the plane is a unique cargo compartment that allows passengers to stow and retrieve their luggage. Altogether, the Jazz CRJ900 is an ideal aircraft for small airports and is perfect for transporting passengers to large hubs or for flying short inter-city routes.

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