C-GFUR is an Airbus A330-300 with the Air Canada fleet since 2000 that has not been without its share of problems over the past years. Its latest incident occurred in April, 2017 when a wheel was lost on takeoff. We photographed this aircraft on June 8, 2017 while plane spotting at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
For full-size, high resolution versions of any of the photos in the image gallery, simply click on the individual pictures. See below for more detailed information on C-GFUR, the Airbus A330-300 model in general and the airline.
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C-GFUR
Airbus A330-300
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C-GFUR Air Canada Airbus A330-300 Image Gallery
C-GFUR
C-GFUR made its first flight on June 15, 2000 and was delivered to Air Canada on June 30, 2000. This is one of eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft in the Air Canada fleet and is configured for a maximum total of 292 passengers with 27 seats in business class, 21 more in premium economy and 244 in economy class.
On July 12, 2012, C-GFUR was flying from London, England to Toronto, Ontario when the crew received an ‘AIR ENG2 BLEED AIR LEAK’ message. The aircraft diverted back to London for a safe landing 40 minutes later. The number 2 bleed air monitoring computer was replaced and the Airbus A330-300 continued to Toronto on the following day.
A few months later, on September 26, 2012, the airplane was flying from Frankfurt, Germany to Calgary, Alberta. On the initial climb out of Frankfurt, the crew reported a strong smell with thin smoke and a temperature rise in the cockpit. The aircraft landed back in Frankfurt overweight just 12 minutes after departure. The problem was traced to the #1 air conditioning system.
Nearly a year went by without problem. Then, on August 20, 2013 C-GFUR was flying from Zurich, Switzerland to Toronto, Ontario when issues with the cabin pressurization system occurred. The Airbus A330-300 returned safely to Zurich.
The following day, when trying to leave Zurich again, more problems arose. Not long after takeoff, the crew received a bleed fault indication for the right side engine. Once again, the aircraft had to return to its point of departure. By August 23, 2013, the airplane was able to continue on its way back to Canada.
In that same year, on October 28, 2013, there was a new issue. Flying from Munich, Germany to Toronto, C-GFUR once again had to stop its climb and return to its starting point. This time, the crew received an unsafe forward cabin door ECAM caution. After cleaning the connector on the right hand forward cabin door proximity sensor, the issue was resolved.
Moving forward a few years, on August 17, 2016, the Airbus A330-300 was flying from Toronto to Montreal when the airplane had a potential problem that certainly wasn’t mechanical. Due to a blocked transmission from air traffic control, C-GFUR found itself on a runway just as a WestJet Boeing 737-700 (C-FGWJ) was about to land. The 737 had to abort the landing and go around with the Airbus A330 taxiing onto its runway.
Most recently, on April 16, 2017, C-GFUR was flying from Montreal, Quebec to London, England and the flight seemed to all go well with a safe landing at Heathrow. However, it was then noticed that the right forward outboard main wheel was missing. The wheel was found at the side of the runway in Montreal.
Airbus A330-300
The Airbus A330-300 made its first flight in November, 1992 and was introduced with Air Inter in January, 1994. Air Inter has since merged with Air France. This is the initial variant of the Airbus A330 with the shorter -200 coming later. The aircraft is in direct competition with the Boeing 777-200.
This type of airliner is 64 metres or 209 feet in length with a wingspan of 60 metres or 198 feet. At the tail, the aircraft stands 17 metres or 55 feet in height. The flight range for the Airbus A330-300 is 11,750 kilometres.
Air Canada
Air Canada was founded in 1937 and is a founding member of the Star Alliance of airlines. Headquartered on the grounds of Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in Dorval, Quebec, Canada, the airline has a main fleet of over 170 aircraft, flying to more than 200 destinations worldwide.
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