Gimli Glider Commemorative Coin

Gimli Glider Commemorative Coin A Piece of Aviation History Worth Remembering Crafted from genuine aircraft skin from the legendary Air Canada Boeing 767 C-GAUN, the Gimli Glider Commemorative Coin honors one of aviation's most extraordinary emergency landings. This 1-1/2" diameter coin features an engraved illustration of the Gimli Glider on the front and aircraft identification details on the reverse, this collectible keepsake commemorates the remarkable events of July 23, 1983. A tangible connection to an unforgettable story of skill, composure, and extraordinary airmanship. OUR PLANE'S STORY The Gimli Glider: Air Canada Flight 143 On July 23, 1983, Air Canada Flight 143 was cruising at 41,000 feet when the unthinkable happened. The Boeing 767, registration C-GAUN, ran out of fuel, leaving both engines without power. Captain Robert "Bob" Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal faced an extraordinary challenge: landing a widebody passenger jet without engine power. With limited instruments and no engine thrust, the crew identified a former military airfield in Gimli, Manitoba, as their best chance for a safe landing. Quintal's familiarity with the airfield proved invaluable. As they approached the runway, Captain Pearson used a sideslip maneuver to lose altitude and position the aircraft for landing. Unknown to the crew until the final moments, part of the former airfield was being used as a recreational area, with people and vehicles near the runway. Against remarkable odds, Flight 143 landed safely. All 69 people aboard survived. The aircraft became known around the world as the Gimli Glider, a lasting symbol of aviation skill, teamwork, and composure under pressure. Preserving the Gimli Glider's Legacy The Gimli Glider continued flying for Air Canada for more than two decades before its retirement in 2008. Its remarkable history lives on through the people who experienced the flight, the stories they continue to share, and the artifacts preserved from the aircraft. In October 2026, Captain Bob Pearson joined the PlaneTags community at TagFest, sharing his firsthand account of the flight. The weekend also included a special visit to Mojave, California, where he returned to see the remains of the aircraft he had flown there for the final time. Read more: TagFest 2026: Aviation History, Collectors, and an Unforgettable Reunion The Gimli Glider Commemorative Coin preserves a genuine piece of C-GAUN, connecting collectors with an aircraft whose story continues to inspire generations of aviation enthusiasts. Commemorative Coin Details Aircraft: Air Canada Boeing 767 Registration: C-GAUN Flight: Air Canada Flight 143 Historic date: July 23, 1983 Material: Genuine aircraft skin from C-GAUN Front: Engraved Gimli Glider aircraft illustration Reverse: Aircraft identification and historic landing date Presentation: PlaneTags commemorative display packaging Continue Your Aviation Collection Gimli Glide Coasters- Own another piece of the legendary Air Canada Boeing 767 C-GAUN, transformed into collectible aviation coasters. Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 N143DA - Add a piece of Delta's widebody aviation history to your PlaneTags collection. United Airlines Boeing 767 N646UA - Celebrate the Boeing 767's long history of passenger service with this United Airlines PlaneTag. ANA Boeing 767 JA8568 - Explore the international legacy of the Boeing 767 with a collectible from All Nippon Airways. Air Do Boeing 767 JA98AD- Celebrate Japan's colorful “Wings of Hokkaido” with a PlaneTag crafted from Air Do's first Boeing 767, an aircraft that served the airline for 22 years. DISCLAIMER PlaneTags are Handmade Aviation Tags Authentic - made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Unique - each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. *Important Notice – Please Read Carefully PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.