The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 21 December 2015.
Runway incursion
WestJet Encore Ltd.
de Havilland DHC-8-402, C-FOEN
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport
Winnipeg, Manitoba
The occurrence
On 04 August 2014, the ground controller at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, Winnipeg, Manitoba, cleared the DHC-8-402 (registration C-FOEN, serial number 4440), operating as WestJet Encore Ltd. flight WEN3112, to taxi for departure via Runway 31 and to hold short of Runway 36. The WEN3112 crew acknowledged the clearance to hold short of Runway 36. At 0900 Central Daylight Time, the tower controller observed that WEN3112 had entered the Runway 36 protected area at the intersection with Runway 31 without a clearance. The tower controller then instructed a WestJet Boeing 737 700, operating as flight WJA318, which was on short final for Runway 36, to go around. WJA318 conducted a go-around and subsequently landed without further incident.
Media materials
News release
Watchlist issue of risk of collisions on runways highlighted in August 2014 occurrence at Winnipeg International Airport
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team to investigate a runway incursion at the Winnipeg International Airport
Winnipeg, Manitoba, 5 August 2014 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team to the Winnipeg International Airport, where a landing aircraft had to go around to avoid an aircraft in the runway ar
Investigation information
A14C0112
Runway incursion
WestJet Encore Ltd.
de Havilland DHC-8-402, C-FOEN
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Investigator-in-charge
Mr. Vermette is the Manager, Central Region Operations for the TSB Air Investigation Branch and is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He joined the TSB in 2014 and holds a current airline transport pilot’s license and has accumulated over 5000 hours of flight time on various jet and propeller aircraft.
Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Vermette worked for over 13 years in civil aviation including experience as a training pilot and as a check pilot. He also has over 5 years of experience as Chief Pilot in CAR 703, 704 and 705 operations. Mr. Vermette has flown in all parts of Canada and the USA and has extensive medevac flying experience.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.