Gimli Glider Pilot Captain Bob Pearson Reunites with Historic Boeing 767 After 18 Years

The pilot who safely landed Air Canada Flight 143 without engine power returned to the aircraft's remains during MotoArt PlaneTags' TagFest 2026 celebration in Southern California.

TORRANCE, Calif., October 28, 2026 – More than four decades after one of aviation's most remarkable emergency landings, Captain Robert "Bob" Pearson returned to the Boeing 767 that became known around the world as the Gimli Glider.

The reunion took place October 11 at the Mojave aircraft boneyard in California, following Pearson's appearance at PlaneTags Festival VI, an annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts and PlaneTags collectors hosted by MotoArt Studios in Torrance.

It was Pearson's first visit to the aircraft at Mojave since he helped fly it there on its final flight in January 2008.

An Extraordinary Flight That Made Aviation History

On July 23, 1983, Air Canada Flight 143 was flying at 41,000 feet when its Boeing 767, registration C-GAUN, exhausted its fuel supply.

With both engines powerless, Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal faced the extraordinary challenge of landing a widebody passenger aircraft without engine thrust.

Drawing on his experience as a glider pilot, Pearson maneuvered the aircraft toward a former military airfield in Gimli, Manitoba, which Quintal knew from his earlier military service.

The crew successfully landed the aircraft, saving all 69 people aboard and earning the Boeing 767 its enduring nickname, the Gimli Glider.

Captain Pearson Shares His Story at TagFest

During TagFest on October 10, Pearson shared his firsthand account of the flight with collectors and aviation enthusiasts gathered at MotoArt Studios.

He described the circumstances leading to the fuel emergency, the challenges of flying the powerless Boeing 767, and the decisions that helped bring the aircraft safely to the ground.

The presentation also included an announcement recognizing Pearson and the late First Officer Maurice Quintal as recipients of the 2027 Canada's Aviation Distinction Award from Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. The award honors their extraordinary skill and teamwork during the emergency landing.

Returning to the Gimli Glider

The following day, Pearson traveled to Mojave with MotoArt founder Dave Hall and TagFest auction winners to see the remains of the aircraft he had last flown there 18 years earlier.

The visit brought Pearson face-to-face with a significant part of his aviation career and an aircraft whose story continues to resonate with pilots, historians, and aviation enthusiasts worldwide.

The moment was captured in a short video documenting Pearson's return to the Gimli Glider. Watch the reunion. 

“When we first had the opportunity to preserve pieces of the Gimli Glider, we knew we were working with an aircraft that had an extraordinary story,” said Dave Hall, founder of MotoArt. “But to have Captain Bob here with us all these years later, sharing his memories and returning to the aircraft together, was something I never could have imagined. We've spent years preserving aviation history, but moments like this remind us that it's really about the people and the stories behind these airplanes.” 

Preserving a Piece of the Gimli Glider

MotoArt has helped preserve the aircraft's legacy through its PlaneTags collectibles, crafted from authentic material recovered from the retired Boeing 767.

The original Gimli Glider PlaneTags series has sold out, and the company has also produced collectible coasters from the aircraft.

During TagFest 2026, attendees received a new Gimli Glider Commemorative Coin crafted from genuine aircraft skin. Many had the opportunity to have their keepsakes signed by Pearson.

The commemorative coins are now being made available to the public, offering collectors and aviation enthusiasts another way to preserve a tangible connection to the historic aircraft.

About MotoArt PlaneTags

Based in Torrance, California, MotoArt transforms authentic retired aircraft materials into collectible PlaneTags and aviation memorabilia. Each piece preserves a tangible connection to an aircraft's history, allowing collectors and enthusiasts to celebrate the stories behind some of aviation's most recognizable airplanes.

Photos and Video: Images of Captain Pearson's visit to Mojave, a short reunion video, and footage of his TagFest presentation are available for editorial use upon request.

Media Contact:

MotoArt PlaneTags
Content & Marketing
Website: https://planetags.com
Email: dave@motoart.com