Westjet Encore DH8D at Edmonton on Jul 19th 2019, abnormal runway contact

Last Update: January 17, 2020 / 18:04:01 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jul 19, 2019

Classification
Accident

Airline
Westjet Encore

Flight number
WS-3362

Departure
Fort McMurray, Canada

Destination
Edmonton, Canada

Aircraft Registration
C-FKWE

Aircraft Type
De Havilland Dash 8 (400)

ICAO Type Designator
DH8D

Airport
Edmonton International Airport, Edmonton

Airport ICAO Code
CYEG

A Westjet Encore de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration C-FKWE performing flight WS-3362 from Fort McMurray,AB to Edmonton,AB (Canada) with 70 passengers and 4 crew, landed on Edmonton's runway 12 but made unusual contact with the runway. While taxiing off the runway via taxiway A2 the crew became aware both nose tyres had burst and stopped off the runway. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.

Due to current thunderstorm activity maintenance was not able to attend to the aircraft for about 40 minutes, then replaced the tyres. After the aircraft taxied to the stand, the passengers disembarked normally.

The Canadian TSB reported a subseqent detailed inspection revealed wrinkles in the fuselage skin, a damaged left nose gear door, damage to the forward pressure bulkhead and the nose gear assembly. The occurrence was rated an accident, a level 4 investigation was opened.

Passengers reported they were landing in the midst of a storm, when the aircraft was caught by a downdraft that caused the nose to slam down and they heard the tyres to go "pop". Maintenance was not able to attend to the aircraft due to ongoing lightning, they arrived at the gate about 80 minutes after landing.

On Jan 17th 2020 the TSB released their final report releasing following safety message:

In this occurrence, the aircraft’s speed was not reduced from its approach speed (VREF + 20 KIAS) to the touchdown speed (VREF). The nose of the aircraft was lowered at a higher rate than normal, resulting in damage to the aircraft. These highlight the importance of flight crews adhering to operational procedures and techniques.

The captain (ATPL, 5,234 hours total, 1,748 hours on type) was pilot flying, the first officer (CPL, 1,028 hours total, 28 hours on type) was pilot monitoring.

The TSB reported: "A large thunderstorm cell situated to the northeast of the airport was advancing to the southwest and was over the departure end of Runway 12 as the occurrence aircraft landed."

The TSB described the sequence of events:

During the flight, the landing runway was changed from Runway 30 to Runway 20, and finally to Runway 12 because of the weather at CYEG, which included a thunderstorm in the area. Once on final approach for Runway 12, the flight crew was cleared for a visual approach. The PF planned for and briefed the PM on a flap 15 landing3 with a VREF4 speed of 122 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). In the event a missed approach would be necessary, the plan was to turn right to a heading of 270° magnetic. This manoeuvre had been approved by the controller.

During the approach phase, the PF added 20 knots to the VREF speed in anticipation of a missed approach, which would involve flying in close proximity to the approaching thunderstorm and possible wind shear. A firm landing was planned due to the potentially gusty conditions on the ground.

When the aircraft was 3 nautical miles from CYEG, in level flight at 5000 feet above sea level, the flaps were set to 15°, the landing gear was lowered and the aircraft’s airspeed was 142 KIAS, which was the planned VREF speed plus the added 20 knots.

At 1713, the aircraft touched down on the main landing gear within the touchdown zone at a speed of 142 KIAS. Shortly after the initial touchdown, the aircraft’s weight on wheels sensor indicated that the aircraft had briefly returned to air mode. The PF then made a full nose-down elevator input. A bang and a nose-wheel shimmy followed, and the aircraft pulled to the left as it rolled out on the runway.

After landing, the crew consulted the aircraft’s integrated communication and application system, and no hard landing indications were noted. The flight crew then taxied the aircraft off Runway 12 and onto Taxiway A2. Concerned that the aircraft had been damaged during the landing, the flight crew then stopped and requested assistance from maintenance.

Due to lightning activity near the airport, shortly after the aircraft had landed, the CYEG duty manager issued a red alert restricting ground handlers and maintenance personnel from accessing the airfield.

Approximately 45 minutes later, the red alert was cancelled and WestJet Encore Ltd. maintenance personnel attended to the occurrence aircraft. After a brief damage assessment, both nose landing gear tires were changed and the flight crew taxied the aircraft to the terminal gate to disembark the passengers.

There were no reported injuries.

The TSB described the damage: "After the passengers deplaned at the gate, WestJet Encore Ltd. maintenance personnel performed a more detailed inspection of the occurrence aircraft, which revealed wrinkled fuselage skins (see photo below) as well as damage to the left nose-gear door, the forward pressure bulkhead, and the nose-gear assembly."



Metars:
CYEG 200100Z 27008KT 15SM FEW025 SCT064CB BKN120 BKN220 14/13 A2985 RMK SC1CB2AC3CI1 CB W MOVG SW SLP119 DENSITY ALT 2900FT=
CYEG 200054Z CCA 27008KT 15SM FEW025 SCT064CB BKN120 BKN220 14/13 A2985 RMK SC1CB3AC3CI1 CI TR CB W MOVG SW SLP120 DENSITY ALT 2900FT=
CYEG 200037Z 27009KT 15SM -SHRA FEW023 SCT058CB BKN086 BKN220 14/13 A2985 RMK SC1CB3AC2CI1 CB SW-NW MOVG SW SLP121 DENSITY ALT 2900FT=
CYEG 200000Z CCA 27006KT 260V360 5SM -TSRA FEW024 OVC053TCU 13/12 A2984 RMK SC1TCU7 CB CVHD MOVG SW OCNL LTGCGICCC /R20/ PRESFR SLP119 DENSITY ALT 2800FT=
CYEG 192340Z CCB VRB02KT 6SM TSRA FEW022 BKN045CB OVC140 13/12 A2984 RMK SC1CB6AC1 CB CVHD MOVG SW OCNL LTGCGICCC /R10/ PRESRR SLP118 DENSITY ALT 2800FT=
CYEG 192322Z 20018G33KT 120V210 5SM R02/5000FT/N R12/2800V4500FT/N -TSRA FEW016 OVC028CB 13/12 A2980 RMK CF1CB7 CB CVHD MOVG SW FRQ LTGCGIC SLP103 DENSITY ALT 2900FT=
CYEG 192316Z 13020G26KT 120V220 2SM R02/3500VP6000FT/D R12/2600FT/N +TSRA OVC023CB 14/13 A2982 RMK CB8 CB CVHD MOVG SW OCNL LTGCGIC PRESRR SLP109 DENSITY ALT 3000FT=
CYEG 192314Z 14016G23KT 130V240 7SM TSRA BKN025CB BKN240 15/13 A2981 RMK CB7CI1 CI TR CB NE-SW MOVG SW OCNL LTGCGIC PRESRR SLP105 DENSITY ALT 3100FT=
CYEG 192300Z 22008G15KT 15SM -TSRA BKN030CB BKN083 16/13 A2978 RMK CB6AC1 CB NE-SW MOVG SW OCNL LTGCGIC SLP096 DENSITY ALT 3200FT=
CYEG 192200Z CCA 34011KT 15SM TS BKN038CB BKN160 BKN240 17/14 A2976 RMK CB5AC1CI1 CB NW+S MOVG SW OCNL LTGICCG S SH S SLP086 DENSITY ALT 3400FT=
CYEG 192154Z 33009G15KT 15SM TS BKN038CB BKN160 BKN240 18/14 A2976 RMK CB5AC1CI1 CB NW+S MOVG SW OCNL LTGICCG S PRESRR SLP085 DENSITY ALT 3500FT=
CYEG 192134Z CCA 34008KT 15SM -TSRA BKN044CB BKN160 BKN240 19/15 A2973 RMK CB6AC1CI1 AC TR CB N+SE MOVG SW SLP075 DENSITY ALT 3600FT=
CYEG 192121Z CCA 33009KT 20SM TS BKN032CB BKN160 BKN240 19/14 A2974 RMK CB6AC1CI1 AC TR CB N SH SE HAIL REPORTED SPRUCE GROVE SLP076 DENSITY ALT 3700FT=
CYEG 192100Z 30005KT 280V350 20SM BKN028TCU BKN040 BKN160 BKN240 19/16 A2974 RMK TCU5SC1AC1CI1 AC TR SLP078 DENSITY ALT 3600FT=
CYEG 192000Z 31009KT 20SM FEW008 SCT020 OVC042 17/15 A2974 RMK ST1SC3SC4 SLP079 DENSITY ALT 3400FT=
CYEG 191919Z 31009KT 20SM SCT008 BKN018 OVC082 16/14 A2974 RMK SF3SC4AC1 SLP080 DENSITY ALT 3300FT=
CYEG 191900Z 32009KT 20SM BKN008 OVC012 15/14 A2974 RMK SF7SC1 CIG RAG SLP079 DENSITY ALT 3200FT=
CYEG 191800Z 30012KT 15SM BKN005 OVC011 13/12 A2972 RMK SF7SC1 CIG RAG SLP075 DENSITY ALT 2900FT=
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
C-FKWE
Country of Registration
Canada
Date of Registration
hqnkbgmemAl Subscribe to unlock
Certification Basis
DAgbcincgehmcjbgqhflpApgbj ibdiAk jfqkgpdngeen Subscribe to unlock
TCDS Ident. No.
Pg b Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
Dehavilland
Aircraft Model / Type
DHC-8-402
ICAO Aircraft Type
DH8D
Year of Manufacture
Fnln Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
Ncej Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
Ejdnn Subscribe to unlock
Maximum Take off Mass (MTOM) [kg]
Jcpmj Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
G Subscribe to unlock
Engine Type
dfkjeddhk Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
Blnphgj hhemjhqem ehdgAipqqlgAcednikpdAkelmnhfdpjgAendggjceedkbihichemdAq Subscribe to unlock

Aircraft registration data reproduced and distributed with the permission of the Government of Canada.

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jul 19, 2019

Classification
Accident

Airline
Westjet Encore

Flight number
WS-3362

Departure
Fort McMurray, Canada

Destination
Edmonton, Canada

Aircraft Registration
C-FKWE

Aircraft Type
De Havilland Dash 8 (400)

ICAO Type Designator
DH8D

Airport
Edmonton International Airport, Edmonton

Airport ICAO Code
CYEG

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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