Take-off clearance - High speed abort - Risk of collision
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Boeing 787-10, PH-BKC,
and
LOT Polish Airlines
Boeing 787-9, SP-LSB
Toronto / Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario
The occurrence
On 22 March 2024, a Boeing 787-10 aircraft, operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, was holding short at the threshold of Runway 06L at the Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario, while a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, operated by LOT Polish Airlines, was landing on Runway 06L.
After the LOT Polish Airlines aircraft landed, the departing aircraft received instructions from air traffic control (ATC) to line up on Runway 06L, and to be ready for an immediate takeoff.
When the LOT Polish Airlines aircraft appeared to be exiting onto Taxiway C5, located near the end of the runway, ATC cleared the departing aircraft for takeoff.
However, shortly thereafter, the LOT Polish Airlines aircraft exited using Taxiway C7 instead, which is adjacent to Taxiway C5 .
As a result, ATC ordered the departing aircraft to abort its takeoff. It had reached a speed of approximately 100 knots before slowing down and coming to a stop about 5400 feet away from the KLM aircraft. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
Investigation information
A24O0033
Take-off clearance - High speed abort - Risk of collision
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Boeing 787-10, PH-BKC,
and
LOT Polish Airlines
Boeing 787-9, SP-LSB
Toronto / Lester B. Pearson International Airport, 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.
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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.