Gimli Glider: A Legendary Landing and a New Way to Own History

The Gimli Glider: From Near Disaster to Iconic Aviation Legacy 

Air Canada Boeing 767-200; C-GAUN@SFO;17.02.1985 flickr photo by Aero Icarus shared under a Creative Commons (BY-SA 2.0) license

On July 23, 1983, an incident took place that would forever change the way we think about aviation safety. Air Canada Flight 143, later dubbed the "Gimli Glider," became the star of one of the most remarkable feats of piloting in history. When the aircraft's fuel system failed mid-flight, and its engines went silent, the crew had no choice but to make an emergency landing. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary: a dead-stick landing at the former Gimli, Manitoba, race track, which saw all 69 people aboard walk away unharmed.

This iconic moment in aviation history is one that has fascinated aviation enthusiasts and professionals for decades. It’s a story of human ingenuity, quick thinking, and a legacy that continues to inspire us all. And now, as we mark the anniversary of the Gimli Glider incident, we’re thrilled to introduce a new way for you to own a piece of this remarkable history.

After the success of our limited edition Gimli Glider PlaneTags, we’re proud to announce our new coasters made from the aircraft’s iconic skin. These coasters, crafted with the same attention to detail that has made our PlaneTags so beloved, allow you to bring home a piece of aviation history, all while commemorating the courage and skill of the crew who saved the day.

Join us as we take a deeper dive into the Gimli Glider’s history, its unforgettable incident, and how MotoArt continues to preserve its legacy for future generations. Order your Gimli Glider coasters.

The Gimli Glider Incident 

On July 23, 1983, Air Canada Flight 143 took off from Ottawa, bound for Edmonton. Everything seemed routine for the Boeing 767, but things quickly took a turn. Unbeknownst to the crew, a critical error in the refueling process left the aircraft dangerously low on fuel. This miscalculation would soon leave the plane with no power as its engines sputtered and died.

With no engine power, the pilots, Captain Robert Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal, were faced with an unimaginable situation: they were flying an unpowered plane, in the middle of a clear blue sky, with no obvious place to land. The situation became even more dire when they realized they were too far from any major airport to glide to safety.

Gimli Glider after landing in Gimli, viewed from front - Wikipedia: Public Domain, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

But it was in this moment of crisis that the crew's remarkable training and quick thinking kicked in. Captain Pearson, a seasoned pilot with a background in glider flying, assessed the situation with calm precision. With no working engines, he relied on the art of gliding to navigate the aircraft toward an unlikely landing strip - the Gimli Industrial Park, a former race track turned emergency landing site.

What followed was nothing short of miraculous. Using his expertise, Captain Pearson managed to guide the 767 to a flawless emergency landing. The aircraft touched down on the narrow runway without a single fatality. In fact, all 69 people on board, the crew and passengers alike, walked away without a scratch.

By FAA - https://lessonslearned.faa.gov/ll_main.cfm?TabID=1&LLID=73&LLTypeID=14, Public Domain, Link

The incident would go down in history as one of the greatest examples of pilot skill and ingenuity. And while the plane's engines were out of commission, the story of the Gimli Glider was just getting started, inspiring countless people in aviation and beyond.

About the Aircraft: Boeing 767

The Boeing 767, a versatile and widely-used airliner, was first introduced in the early 1980s and quickly became a cornerstone of long-haul travel. Known for its fuel efficiency, comfort, and reliability, the 767 became a favorite for airlines around the world. But for those familiar with the story of the Gimli Glider, this particular 767 holds a special place in aviation history.

By Marc Hasenbein, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

The aircraft involved in the Gimli Glider incident was registered as C-GAUN, and it was one of Air Canada's early 767s. When it was delivered to the airline, it was part of a new generation of aircraft designed to replace older models, offering greater range and more fuel-efficient engines. However, as fate would have it, this particular 767 would forever be tied to a story of survival, ingenuity, and a near-disastrous failure.

After the famous incident, the plane was temporarily grounded while investigations took place. It was soon found that the fuel mismanagement had been caused by a failure in the fuel gauges, which led to the aircraft being inadvertently underfilled. But instead of being consigned to the scrap heap, the Gimli Glider was repaired and returned to service, continuing its aviation career until 2008.

By Ted Quackenbush - Gallery page http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-Canada/Boeing-767-233/0078557/LPhoto http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/5/5/0078557.jpg, GFDL 1.2, Link

The aircraft's final years were marked by its newfound fame, and it eventually retired from commercial service, making way for newer models. But it wasn’t just any retirement. It became a symbol of perseverance, demonstrating how even in the most challenging situations, there’s always room for heroism.

Gimli Glider At A Glance

• Manufacturer: Boeing
• Crew: 8 (2 Pilots, 6 Flight Attendants)
• Wing Span: 156 ft 1 in
• Length: 159 ft 2 in 
  
• Height: 52 ft 0 in 
  
• Range: 4,500 mi
  
• Cruise: 461 kts
  
• Ceiling: 43,000 ft 
  
• Empty Weight: 174,110 lb 
  
• Max Takeoff Weight: 282,000 lb 
  
• Engines: 2x Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4D

MotoArt and the Gimli Glider

MotoArt’s journey with the Gimli Glider began nearly a decade ago, when we first started creating PlaneTags. As Dave Hall, our CEO, recalls, “We discovered the Gimli Glider as a hidden gem in the Mojave Desert. I didn’t fully understand its historic significance at first, but when I presented the idea of preserving aviation history with PlaneTags to our vendors, they suggested starting with the Boeing 767 sitting in our yard—the very aircraft known as the Gimli Glider.”

By Akradecki - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

At the time, the plane was weathering away in the Mojave boneyard, its history fading with each passing year. But as Hall soon realized, this aircraft was destined to be the perfect cornerstone for the growing PlaneTags series. The history of Flight 143, its miraculous emergency landing, was far more significant than he and the team could have imagined, and the aircraft itself became an iconic piece of aviation lore.

In December 2015, the first edition of Gimli Glider PlaneTags was launched, a series of 10,000 tags. The response was overwhelming, and within a few years, they sold out, cementing the Gimli Glider as a true legend among aviation collectors.

Through work with the Gimli Glider, MotoArt has formed a special connection with the town of Gimli, Canada, and its famous Gimli Glider Museum. Hall shares, “Since then, our company has become close to the town of Gimli and the museum. We were fortunate enough to visit and speak at the annual dinner that honors the incredible landing of Flight 604. We also had the chance to visit the landing strip where Captain Bob Pearson’s amazing skills saved 63 lives that day.”

It was clear from the start that the Gimli Glider was more than just a historic aircraft. It was a symbol of heroism, perseverance, and the incredible story of survival that continues to inspire us.

Check out this CBC News interview with Dave Hall. Don't miss our other Gimli Glider videos on YouTube. 

Gimli Glider: The 40th Anniversary

Photo courtesy of @henrytags_inairbone

In August 2023, MotoArt took the connection to the Gimli Glider a step further by creating a special edition of PlaneTags to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the legendary incident. This limited-edition release wasn’t just another collection. It was a tribute to the incredible story of Flight 143 and the lives saved by the quick thinking and unparalleled skill of Captain Bob Pearson.

These PlaneTags, crafted from the same skin of the Gimli Glider, were donated as a private edition to the Gimli Glider Exhibit, marking a meaningful milestone for both the museum and the aviation community. The tags, like our previous releases, were designed to capture the spirit of the aircraft’s history, turning a piece of aviation legend into a keepsake that could be passed down through generations. Only 250 of these special edition tags were made, ensuring that this piece of history would be a rare and cherished collectible.

Enjoy this virtual tour of the Gimli Glider Exhibit.

2025 News: Gimli Glider Cockpit Acquired by Gimli Museum

In June 2025, a significant milestone in the preservation of the Gimli Glider’s legacy took place. The cockpit was acquired by the Gimli Glider Museum and transported from the Mojave Boneyard in California. It was greeted at the Canada/US border by none other than Captain Robert Pearson, the pilot of the original flight. MotoArt played an integral role in this momentous occasion by cutting the cockpit from the remains of the aircraft and shipping it to the museum for display. We are incredibly thankful to have been a part of preserving this piece of aviation history and are thrilled that future generations will have the opportunity to view and remember the extraordinary story of the Gimli Glider.

Gimli Glider Coasters

As we celebrate the anniversary of the Gimli Glider incident, MotoArt is excited to introduce a new way for you to own a piece of aviation history. After the success of our limited edition PlaneTags, we’ve turned our focus to creating something new yet equally iconic - Gimli Glider coasters.

These coasters are made from the authentic skin of the aircraft, carefully preserved and repurposed to create a functional yet collectible piece. Crafted with the same attention to detail that has made our PlaneTags beloved, each coaster is a tangible connection to one of the most extraordinary moments in aviation history. It’s not just a keepsake. It’s a lasting tribute to the bravery of the pilots, the resilience of the aircraft, and the people whose lives were saved that day.

Coasters are the perfect way to honor the legacy of the Gimli Glider. They take the beauty and history of the aircraft and bring it into your everyday life. These coasters are a great conversation starter, but also a functional way to celebrate aviation history in your own home or office. Whether you’re a collector or someone who simply appreciates the remarkable feats of aviation, this new release gives you a chance to bring the Gimli Glider into your space in a new and accessible way.

We’re thrilled to offer these coasters on the anniversary of the incident, and like our PlaneTags, they’re sure to be in high demand. So, don't miss out on your chance to own a piece of aviation history. These coasters won’t last long.

Boeing 767: Don't Miss These Other Iconic Aircraft

The Boeing 767 has been a workhorse for airlines around the world, known for its versatility, long-range capabilities, and efficiency. While like any aircraft, it has had its share of incidents, it remains one of the most widely used and trusted commercial airliners. Don't miss the chance to own a piece of other incredible Boeing 767 aircraft, each with its own unique story:

• Air Do® Boeing 767 JA98AD

• ANA 767 JA8568

• Delta® Boeing 767-332 N143DA

• United Airlines® 767 N646UA

• British Airways 767 G-BNWH

• Delta 100 Years 767 Coaster Set

These aircraft have played pivotal roles in global aviation, and now you can celebrate them with our exclusive PlaneTags and coasters. Be sure to check them out and complete your Boeing 767 collection today!