Air Canada flight makes emergency landing after hail cracks windshield

An Air Canada flight from Toronto to Calgary was forced to make an emergency landing in Lethbridge, Alta. Saturday afternoon after the aircraft's windshield was cracked by hail.

Air Canada spokesperson Angela Mah told The Canadian Press in an email that Flight AC1159 was approaching Calgary when the A320 airbus with 144 passengers on board flew into the hail storm and sustained damage to its windshield.

Mah said the Captain followed standard operating procedures and diverted to the closest airport, landing at Lethbridge about 210 kilometres south of Calgary "normally and without issue."

Pictures of the jet that were later posted on Twitter clearly showed several cracks in its left-side windscreen.

Mah said ground transportation arrangements were being made to bring the passengers to Calgary International Airport.