The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 23 January 2018.
Risk of collision
Porter Airlines Inc., DHC-8-402, C-GKQA
and
Jazz Aviation LP (dba Air Canada Express),
DHC-8-402, C-GXJZ
Sudbury Airport, Ontario, 9.5 nm SW
The occurrence
On 14 October 2016, C-GKQA, a DHC-8-400 aircraft operated by Porter Airlines, was conducting a flight from Toronto/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Ontario (CYTZ) to Sudbury, Ontario (CYSB). The aircraft was approaching CYSB from the south and was cleared for the visual approach for Runway 04. Another aircraft, C-GXJZ, a DHC-8-400 aircraft operated by Jazz Aviation, was departing from CYSB on Runway 22. At approximately 4000 feet and 8 nautical miles Southwest of CYSB, radar data indicated that the two aircraft came within 0.4 nautical miles of each other at the same altitude.
Media materials
News release
Lack of coordination and planning led to risk of collision between two passenger aircraft near Sudbury, Ontario
Read the news release
Investigation information
A16O0149
Risk of collision
Porter Airlines Inc., DHC-8-402, C-GKQA
and
Jazz Aviation LP (dba Air Canada Express),
DHC-8-402, C-GXJZ
Sudbury Airport, Ontario, 9.5 nm SW
Investigator-in-charge
Ken Webster joined the TSB team in 2005, and works as Manager, Regional Operations out of the Ontario office. Mr. Webster has been investigator-in-charge in numerous TSB investigations, and assisted in several others, involving airplane, helicopter and air traffic control. Prior to the TSB he worked in civil aviation for 20 years, in several different capacities. As a pilot, Mr. Webster has flown numerous aircraft types throughout Canada and the US.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 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.