On the morning of November 12th, 2019, a WestJet Boeing 737-800 aircraft was involved in a runway overrun incident at Kingston, Ontario. The aircraft had departed from Toronto Pearson International Airport and was scheduled to land at Norman Rogers Airport in Kingston. However, during the approach, the temperature dropped to -2°C, causing the runway surface to freeze and become slippery. As a result, the aircraft was unable to stop in time and overran the runway, coming to rest on a grassy area.
Fortunately, all passengers and crew members were able to safely evacuate the aircraft without any injuries. However, the incident caused significant damage to the aircraft and the runway surface. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) launched an investigation into the incident and identified several contributing factors.
The TSB found that the aircraft had been equipped with a system designed to detect slippery runway surfaces and alert pilots of potential risks. However, this system had not been activated prior to the landing. In addition, the TSB found that the aircraft had not been decelerated to an appropriate speed for landing on a slippery runway surface.
The TSB also determined that the airport had not implemented any procedures or protocols to ensure that pilots were aware of potential risks associated with landing on a slippery runway surface. Furthermore, the airport did not have any systems in place to monitor weather conditions and alert pilots of potential risks.
In response to this incident, WestJet has implemented several safety measures to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. These measures include:
• Activating the system designed to detect slippery runway surfaces prior to landing;
• Ensuring that pilots are aware of potential risks associated with landing on a slippery runway surface;
• Implementing procedures and protocols to monitor weather conditions and alert pilots of potential risks; and
• Providing additional training to pilots on how to safely land on slippery runway surfaces.
In addition, the airport has implemented several safety measures to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. These measures include:
• Installing systems to monitor weather conditions and alert pilots of potential risks;
• Implementing procedures and protocols to ensure that pilots are aware of potential risks associated with landing on a slippery runway surface; and
• Providing additional training to pilots on how to safely land on slippery runway surfaces.
By implementing these safety measures, WestJet and the airport have taken steps to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. By being proactive and taking steps to mitigate potential risks, WestJet and the airport are helping to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
Source: Plato Data Intelligence: PlatoAiStream