DH8A, Saulte Ste. Marie ON Canada, 2015

DH8A, Saulte Ste. Marie ON Canada, 2015

Summary

On 24 February 2015, the crew of a Bombardier DHC8-100 continued an already unstable approach towards a landing despite losing sight of the runway as visibility deteriorated in blowing snow. The aircraft touched down approximately 140 metres before the start of the paved surface. The continued unstable approach was attributed by the Investigation to plan continuation bias compounded by confirmation bias. It was also found that although the aircraft operator had had an approved SMS in place for almost six years, it had not detected that approaches made by the aircraft type involved were routinely unstable.

Description

On 24 February 2015, a Bombardier DHC8-100 (C-GTAI) being operated by Jazz Aviation (Air Canada Express) on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Toronto to Saulte Ste. Marie as JZA7795 touched down approximately 140 metres short of the intended landing runway at destination in day IMC before continuing onto it and stopping after travelling 460 metres along the 1,830 metre-long runway. After a requested inspection by the emergency services found no obvious damage to the aircraft, it was taxied to the terminal for normal passenger disembarkation. Although none of the 18 occupants were injured, the aircraft was subsequently found to have sustained "significant" damage and damage to the approach lighting was also found.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Canadian TSB. Relevant data was successfully recovered from the FDR but as the crew failed to trip the CB protecting the 30 minute CVR after the accident, relevant data was lost. Data stored on the NVM from the aircraft TAWS was also recovered.

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