The Rankin Inlet Airport was the scene of a close call on the evening of Feb. 25.

At about 8:14 p.m. local time on Feb. 25, a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air twin-engine aircraft operated by Air Nunavut performed an emergency landing at the Rankin Inlet Airport when its nose landing gear failed to deploy.

Information released by Air Nunavut, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the Government of Nunavut indicates that the plane took off from Baker Lake Airport and was headed to Rankin Inlet Airport when the pilot noticed the landing gear wasn't working.

The plane circled the airport for about 45 minutes to burn off fuel and avoid interfering with other aircraft. The plane landed safely at 8:14 p.m. with no injuries reported. The aircraft sustained damage to its nose, propellers and engines.

The plane came to rest on the runway without incident. Local emergency responders were on the scene to provide support and assistance. The disabled aircraft was removed from the runway shortly after the incident and the Rankin Inlet Airport has since reopened for normal operations.

Air Nunavut's director of flight operations, Lindsay Cadenhead, stated publicly that the flight crew did a fantastic job under the circumstances. Cadenhead also said the cause of the incident was being investigated by Air Nunavut.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is also investigating the cause of the incident and gathering data.

Rankin Inlet Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief George Aksadjuak said his crews were nervous waiting for the plane to make its emergency landing attempt.

He said the crews always hope for the best in these situations, but prepare for the worst.

SA国际影视传媒�The passengers were shaken,SA国际影视传媒� said Aksadjuak. SA国际影视传媒淚 believe there were six passengers and two pilots on board.

The hamlet's command vehicle, a fire truck, ambulance, police vehicles, hamlet crew and health professionals were on site for the emergency, he said.

SA国际影视传媒�We got called at 6:39 p.m. and we were back in the fire hall by 8:30 p.m. The adrenalin kicked in pretty good with my crews as the plane approached for its landing. Everyone just had to focus on the situation and be ready for the landing.

SA国际影视传媒�We had eight crew members out on the call from the department.SA国际影视传媒�