The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 7 March 2024.
Runway excursion
Thunder Airlines Limited
Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, C-GYUA
Wawa Aerodrome (CYXZ), Ontario
The occurrence
On , a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 aircraft operated by Thunder Airlines Limited was conducting a flight from Thunder Bay International Airport, Ontario, to Wawa Aerodrome, Ontario, with 2 flight crew members and 1 medic on board. During the landing on the snow-covered Runway 03, the aircraft slid off the runway's edge and collided with a drainage ditch running parallel to the runway. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but no injuries were reported.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: Runway excursion at Wawa Aerodrome, Ontario
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators following an aircraft accident at the Wawa Municipal Airport, Ontario
Richmond Hill, Ontario, 27 November 2023 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following a landing accident involving a Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft registered to Thunder Airlines Limited. The TSB is gathering information and assessing the occurrence.
Investigation information
A23O0155
Runway excursion
Thunder Airlines Limited
Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, C-GYUA
Wawa Aerodrome (CYXZ), Ontario
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.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
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.