CNN is reporting that an Airbus A320 operated by Air Canada came off the runway after making a hard landing in heavy snow at Halifax International Airport, Nova Scotia just after midnight.  The plane, which had taken off from Toronto, was carrying 132 passengers and 5 crewmembers.

According to CNN:

“It was a hard landing, and the aircraft left the runway,” said Peter Spurway, a spokesman for Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia, where the plane landed.

No major injuries have been reported from the incident, and all of those on board were able to get off the plane. But Air Canada said in a statement that 23 people had been taken to the hospital for observation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The aircraft, an Airbus A320, was damaged, Spurway said, without giving further details. “It is off the runway now,” he said.

And:

Heavy snow was reported at the time of the landing, but Spurway said it was unclear if that had played a role in the accident.

Air Canada said it would cooperate fully with authorities’ investigation into what happened.

The airport also lost its electricity supply for part of the night.

“Power is out at HFX airport,” tweeted CBC reporter Chris Ensing. “Pitch black with exit lights on. Blowing snow.”

Nova Scotia Power tweeted later that it had restored power to the airport.

Bottom Line:

Air Canada is reporting via twitter that 18 of the 23 passengers admitted to the hospital have been treated and released. Air Canada also issued a travel warning in Halifax for March 29 that flights may be impacted by snow.