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Air transportation safety investigation A21F0092

Updated in September 2021 : This investigation is in the report phase.

Table of contents

Dual engine shutdown on touchdown

Air Baltic Corporation AS
Airbus A220-300
Copenhagen/Kastrup Airport, Denmark

The occurrence

On , an airBaltic Airbus A220-300 was conducting a passenger flight from Riga, Latvia, to Copenhagen, Denmark. As the aircraft began the descent into Copenhagen/Kastrup Airport, the thrust levers were reduced to the idle position and the autothrottle became disengaged. The R THROTTLE FAIL master caution light illuminated shortly after the autothrottle disengaged. Upon touchdown, with both main landing gears on the ground, an uncommanded dual engine shutdown occurred. The aircraft was able to exit the runway, came to a full stop on the taxiway, and was towed to the gate. There were no injuries. The Accident Investigation Board of Denmark delegated the investigation to the TSB.


Investigation information

Map showing the location of the occurrence




Investigator-in-charge

Photo of Helen Tsai

Helen Tsai joined the TSB in 2018 as a Specialist/Senior Investigator, Engineering, with the Air Investigation Branch at the TSB head office in Gatineau. She has over 20 years of aviation experience, including 10 years with Transport Canada’s National Aircraft Certification branch as a Senior Engineer, Continuing Airworthiness Corrective Action. Helen has also worked as a Senior Engineer at Transport Canada’s Aircraft Certification Project Management and at Regulatory Standards.

Before joining the public service, Helen held engineering positions at Bombardier Aerospace, RGW Cherry & Associates, and the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies Ornithopter project. Helen holds an MSc in Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics from Cranfield University (UK) and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University.


Class of investigation

This is a class 2 investigation. These investigations are complex and involve several safety issues requiring in-depth analysis. Class 2 investigations, which frequently result in recommendations, are generally completed within 600 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

TSB investigation process

There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

  1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.