News release

On February 25, 2017, Air Canada Flight 623 was travelling from Halifax to Toronto/Lester B. Pearson airport with 118 persons on board. Towards the end of the flight, the aircraft was flying an ILS approach to Runway 15R. Just after midnight, during the landing sequence, the aircraft travelled through the grass on the western side of the runway, eventually coming to a stop on the runway centerline. The passengers were deplaned on the runway and transported by bus to the terminal. There were no reported injuries, and apparent damage to the aircraft at this point is minor. The aircraft will be thoroughly examined to further determine the extent of the damage. Five runway edge lights were also damaged.

What we know

TSB investigators were deployed in the early morning to Pearson Airport to examine the aircraft and gather information. To date, we have:

• Taken possession of the CVR and FDR. These will be sent to the TSB Lab in Ottawa for further analysis.
• Gathered airborne radar, ground radar and audio data from Air Traffic Control.
• Gathered the initial weather information.
• Examined and took measurements of the occurrence site.
• Conducted preliminary examination of the aircraft.

Next steps

The investigation is ongoing and the next steps include the following:

• Interviewing the flight crew, air traffic control and other witnesses.
• Gathering all information surrounding this flight, such as: weather, the approach, navigation systems, communications, the crew, training, the organization.
• Analyzing data from FDR/CVR.
• TSB investigators have to examine all the information before drawing any conclusions. It is too early to say what the causes and contributing factors of this occurrence might be.

Communication of safety deficiencies

Should the investigation team uncover safety deficiencies that present an immediate risk, they will be communicated without delay so they may be addressed quickly and the aviation system made safer.

The information posted is factual in nature and does not contain any analysis. Analysis of the occurrence and the findings of the Board will be part of the final report. The investigation is ongoing.