Runway incursion and risk of collision
Air Canada, Airbus A220-300, C- GJYI
and
Bombardier Global 7500 (BD700-2A12), C-FFPT
Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ), Ontario
The occurrence
On 2 September 2025, an Airbus A220-300 aircraft operated by Air Canada as flight ACA1398 was conducting a scheduled flight from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ), Ontario, to Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR), New Jersey, United States, with 122 passengers and five crew members on board. The occurrence took place during the hours of darkness, under clear weather conditions.
As the Airbus A220-300 was accelerating on its take-off roll on Runway 23, a Bombardier Global Express BD-700 aircraft, operated by Bombardier during a production ground test, was taxiing northbound on Runway 33L with two aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) and one inspector on board. Bombardier had recently relocated its operations from Downsview to Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport.
During taxi, the Bombardier aircraft was observed by ATC to have crossed the hold short line, prompting ATC to instruct the aircraft to hold short. Despite this instruction, the aircraft continued moving toward Runway 23 until ATC issued an urgent instruction to stop. The aircraft came to a full stop well past the hold-short line with its nose approximately 35 feet onto Runway 23. ACA1398 became airborne just before reaching the intersection point.
The TSB is investigating.
Work completed as of October 2025
To date, the investigation has progressed as follows:
- The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) data were successfully recovered from both aircraft involved.
- Ground radar data and ATC communications were obtained from NAV CANADA
- Interviews were conducted with flight crews and the AME’s from both aircraft and all applicable ATC controllers.
Next steps
The investigation is ongoing and is currently in the examination and analysis phase, where the TSB reviews operating procedures and pertinent records, tests components 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.
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.