Air transportation safety investigation A21Q0138

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 4 October 2023.

Table of contents

    Right main landing gear failure on landing
    Air Canada
    Airbus A330-343, C-GFAF
    Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec

    The occurrence

    On , the Air Canada Airbus A330-343 (registration C-GFAF, serial number 0277) operating as flight number AC901, was conducting an instrument flight rules flight from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Florida, United States, to Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec. A few seconds after touchdown on Runway 06L, the bogie beam failed on the right main landing gear. At the same time, indications of a right main landing gear malfunction were displayed in the cockpit. The aircraft continued its landing roll, with the right gear shock strut scraping the runway, and came to rest on the runway.

    The crew requested assistance from aircraft rescue and firefighting services. Significant landing gear damage, which made towing the aircraft impossible, was observed. The airport authority closed Runway 06L and dispatched assistance vehicles to transport the passengers and crew members to the terminal. Runway 06L was re-opened the next day, at 0530 Eastern Standard Time. Damage was limited to the right main landing gear. There were no injuries.


    Media materials

    News release

    2023-10-04

    Undetected damage led to 2021 landing gear failure in Montréal, Quebec
    Read the news release

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A21Q0138

    Right main landing gear failure on landing
    Air Canada
    Airbus A330-343, C-GFAF
    Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.