B737, Las Vegas USA, 2023

B737, Las Vegas USA, 2023

Summary

On 16 February 2023, a Boeing 737-700 took off from Las Vegas in excellent night visibility aligned with the right-hand runway edge lights instead of the unlit centreline without pilot awareness during or after the takeoff. Minor nosewheel tyre damage found after flight did not trigger an operator investigation, and the airport only discovered the runway edge lighting damage two days later and did not identify and advise the operator until over a week had passed. The experienced captain had misaligned the aircraft whilst the inexperienced first officer was too busy to monitor the captain’s actions.

Description

On 16 February 2023, a Boeing 737-700 (C-GWCN) operated by WestJet on a scheduled international passenger flight from Las Vegas to Edmonton as WJA1447, completed its night visual conditions (VMC) takeoff aligned with the right-hand runway edge lights without either pilot apparently being aware. Minor nosewheel tyre damage found after flight led to both tyres being replaced. The lighting damage went unnoticed until the second day after it had occurred. The airport did not notify the operator until over a week after it had occurred. The investigation identified a number of causes and contributing factors, including the captain's divided attention during high cockpit workload.

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