The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 28 March 2017.
Runway excursion
Air Canada
Airbus A330-343, C-GFAF
Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Montréal, Quebec
The occurrence
On 07 October 2014, the Air Canada Airbus 330-343 (registration C-GFAF, serial number 0277), operating as flight number ACA875, left the Frankfurt-Rhein/Main International Airport in Germany, bound for Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec. During the daylight approach to Runway 24R in the presence of a thunderstorm just north of the airport, the crew was advised that the lighting on Runway 24R was out of service. This was the only runway in operation. During final approach, meteorological conditions changed from visual meteorological conditions to instrument meteorological conditions. On short final, during the approach to Runway 24R, using the instrument landing system, the aircraft entered a heavy rain shower and encountered a right crosswind exceeding 20 knots. The aircraft deviated from its path before touching down to the left of the runway centreline at 1234 Eastern Daylight Time. Following the landing, the left rear tire of the left main landing gear left the hard surface of the runway and travelled approximately 600 feet before regaining the runway. The aircraft returned to the centreline before taxiing to the terminal gate, where the passengers exited. Three runway edge lights were damaged. The aircraft was not damaged and there were no injuries.
Media materials
News release
Investigation into October 2014 runway excursion in Montréal highlights risks posed by thunderstorms in the vicinity of airports
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec, where an aircraft departed the runway
Montreal, Quebec, 7 October 2014 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a runway excursion involving an Air Canada aircraft at the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A14Q0155
Runway excursion
Air Canada
Airbus A330-343, C-GFAF
Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Montréal, Quebec
Investigator-in-charge
Marc Perrault has been a senior air investigator with the Dorval, Quebec, regional office of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 1990 and has participated in several hundred investigations on air transportation accidents and incidents. In 1989, he joined the Canadian Aviation Safety Board as an investigator at the head office in the confidential report department. He received his commercial pilot licence — helicopter in 1974. From 1975 to 1989, Mr. Perrault worked mainly abroad.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.