Westjet Encore DH8D at Vancouver on Jan 2nd 2026, uncommanded descent on departure

Last Update: January 29, 2026 / 17:28:17 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jan 2, 2026

Classification
Incident

Airline
Westjet Encore

Flight number
WS-3405

Departure
Vancouver, Canada

Destination
Victoria, Canada

Aircraft Registration
C-FKWE

Aircraft Type
De Havilland Dash 8 (400)

ICAO Type Designator
DH8D

A Westjet Encore de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration C-FKWE performing flight WS-3405 from Vancouver,BC to Victoria,BC (Canada), was climbing out of Vancouver's runway 08R following the Stanley 5 Standard Instrument Departure and climbing to 2000 feet and was about to level at 2000 feet, when the crew received clearance to climb to 4000 feet and turn onto heading 170. The crew entered the clearance into their flight guidance control panel (FGCP), however, the aircraft instead of climbing began to descend at 2200 fpm. The crew received a "Don't Sink!" aural alert, air traffic control received a low altitude warning and instructed the crew to expedite their climb to 4000 feet. The crew attempted to stop the descent via the FGCP, then disconnected the autopilot and entered a manual climb at 3600 fpm. The aircraft subsequently levelled off at 4000 feet and landed safely in Victoria about 15 minutes after departure.

The Canadian TSB reported the occurrence was rated an incident and is being monitored but not investigated by the TSB (Class 5).
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
C-FKWE
Country of Registration
Canada
Date of Registration
Amkhh pmAAlk Subscribe to unlock
Certification Basis
CgchgkpfdkjAAlmjim kpdnnjcnelAbh Aqlgjk pkkelp Subscribe to unlock
TCDS Ident. No.
AAji Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
Dehavilland
Aircraft Model / Type
DHC-8-402
ICAO Aircraft Type
DH8D
Year of Manufacture
Eqqk Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
Nmcm Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
Hgphqq Subscribe to unlock
Maximum Take off Mass (MTOM) [kg]
Mbq k Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
K Subscribe to unlock
Engine Type
Fjehecii i Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
Qkhfdpefhcepjgfkpbl ppgAdgemfeb npncfdfkkkdlgi kijcbqfedmkkfdichfcejhndpc Subscribe to unlock

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

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jan 2, 2026

Classification
Incident

Airline
Westjet Encore

Flight number
WS-3405

Departure
Vancouver, Canada

Destination
Victoria, Canada

Aircraft Registration
C-FKWE

Aircraft Type
De Havilland Dash 8 (400)

ICAO Type Designator
DH8D

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