On Feb 20th 2026, a WestJet Boeing 787-9, registration C-GURP, operating flight WS-2 from Calgary to London Heathrow Airport with 322 people on board, was forced to turn back mid-flight following a medical emergency involving one of the pilots.
The aircraft had been cruising at FL370 and was about 90 minutes into the transatlantic journey when the situation unfolded. According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, one of the pilots became incapacitated while outside the flight deck during a scheduled break.
The crew promptly coordinated with the airline’s dispatch and an on-call pilot, while also consulting an aviation medical advisory service. Based on the assessment, it was determined that the affected pilot should not return to duty, leaving the flight with insufficient crew for long-haul operations.
As a result, the decision was made to return to Calgary. The aircraft descended slightly to FL360 for the return journey and conducted a controlled fuel jettison of approximately 6,000 pounds to reduce landing weight.
The Dreamliner landed safely back in Calgary about 3.5 hours after departure. No further issues were reported, and all passengers and crew remained safe.
The incident highlights the strict safety protocols governing crew fitness and flight operations, ensuring that even unexpected medical situations are managed with a conservative, safety-first approach.
