Close call at YLW

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.

A group of passengers are thanking their lucky stars this afternoon after their quick thinking pilot alerted firefighters about his brakes overheating.

The privately owned Cessna was preparing for take-off when the pilot noticed his brakes were overheating.

A quick check with the tower and the flight was cancelled. Seven passengers had to be escorted off the plane. 

Crews could be seen working on the plane as of 2 o'clock this afternoon.

ORIGINAL 12:43 p.m.

Passengers were taken off a private plane at Kelowna International Airport this morning after the pilot reported brake issues. 

An airport issued statement reported that the incident happened around 10:40 a.m. and involved a privately owned Cessna Citation.

The pilot advised the air traffic control tower of an issue with overheating brakes, while taxiing to the runway.

"Kelowna International Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Firefighting team was dispatched to assist the aircraft and cool the brakes."

Passengers were deplaned and the aircraft will be towed to the hangar for inspection. 

There was no disruption to scheduled flight service at YLW.

—with files from Josh Winquist