Description

On 31 January 2010, an Airbus A320-200 being operated by the Canadian Airline Skyservice on a passenger flight from Toronto Canada to Varadero Cuba made a procedural night Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to destination in heavy rain and, soon after touchdown on a flooded runway, drifted off the side and travelled parallel to it for a little over 500 metres before subsequently re-entering it at low speed. There were no injuries to the 186 occupants and the aircraft sustained only minor damage.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Canadian TSB. It was established that both flight crew were experienced on the aircraft type and that the aircraft commander was designated as PF. It was noted that the destination TAF for the ETA when en route had indicated thunderstorm activity and rain showers clearing to broken cloud at 1500 feet agl after the rain and that the corresponding alternate TAF was for Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with light winds.

It was noted that the flight crew had been aware that they would probably encounter reduced visibility nearer to landing but when the previous aircraft, a Boeing 737, called a go around, the reason for it was not given and no attempt was made to establish it from ATC, who also did not volunteer a reduction in visibility from 2000m to 1000m in the rain.