Air Canada flight grounded because of damage to wheels prior to takeoff

An Air Canada flight from Brussels to Montreal had to be groundedafter a problem with one of the aircraft's wheels became apparent during takeoff.

JohnReber, aspokesperson for the airline, saidthatFlightAC833, an AirbusA330with 179 passengers scheduled to depart Sunday, sustained damage to its wheels while preparing to depart from Brussels Airport.

"The takeoff was safely halted, andpassengers deplaned normally so that the aircraft can be inspected and repaired," he said in an email.

According to passenger accounts, the plane taxied to the runway, but the pilot aborted takeoff shortly after accelerating, gradually stopping at the end of the runway.

The aircraft was met by fire crews and buses to shuttle passengers back to the terminal.

Rebersaid themajority of passengers willfly to Montreal on Monday, while the remaining passengerswill be rerouted on other flights.