Canadian Aviator Magazine

2019-02-07

C-GLQQ, a Bombardier DHC-8-400 aircraft operated by Porter Airlines, was conducting flight
POE122 from Newark/Liberty Intl (KEWR), NJ to Toronto/Billy Bishop Toronto City (CYTZ), ON with 4 crew members and 27 passengers on board. As power was reduced once the aircraft reached its initial cleared altitude of 14 000 feet after the departure from KEWR, the flight crew noticed an unusual noise coming from the engines. Simultaneously, a POWERPLANT message was received, which prompted the flight crew to execute the QRH. In the absence of abnormal engine indications, the flight crew continued to monitor the situation, and contacted the operator’s maintenance via ACARS. Following a step climb to FL180, the number 2 Propeller Electronic Control (PEC) caution light illuminated, and the number 2 propeller RPM rose to 1060. The flight crew executed the QRH one more time, shut the number 2 engine (Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A) down, declared an emergency, and elected to divert the aircraft to WilkesBarre/Scranton Intl (KAVP), PA where it landed without further incident with ARFF standing by. Following an inspection, the aircraft taxied to the terminal building.
Maintenance personnel determined that the number 2 Beta Feedback Transducer (BFT) failed, causing the propeller to initially go into an underspeed condition, followed by an overspeed condition. It was held at higher than normal propeller speeds (1060) by the Over Speed Governor (OSG) until the flight crew shut the engine down. The incident has been entered into the operator’s Safety Management System for further investigation.

2019-02-06

G-TCCF, an Airbus 330-200 aircraft operated by Thomas Cook Airlines, was conducting Condor Airlines flight CFG116 from Frankfurt/Rhein-Main (EDDF), Germany to Cancún Intl (MMUN),
Mexico. During cruise flight, liquid was inadvertently spilled onto the number 1 Audio Control Panel (ACP), causing all lights on the unit to illuminate. Initially, the number 1 ACP, then the number 2 ACP became hot, and began to emit a burnt electrical odour. At approximate position 56°03’N/031°11’W, smoke started to come out from the number 1 ACP. The flight crew donned their oxygen masks, initiated a diversion to Shannon Intl (EINN), Ireland, and sent a MAYDAY message using ACARS. The flight crew jettisoned fuel in order to achieve maximum landing weight, and the aircraft landed at EINN without further incident. 1 passenger and 4 crew members were attended to by paramedics and sent to local medical facilities for a precautionary assessment before being released.

2019-02-06
C-GNKG, a Cessna 172M aircraft operated by Wetaskiwin Air Services, was conducting a local VFR training flight out of Wetaskiwin Regional (CEX3), AB with 2 persons on board. During the
flight, the instructor decided to go to an ice strip that had been cleared on Gull Lake, approximately 10 nm west of Lacombe (CEG3), AB, to conduct a precautionary landing exercise for the student.
The instructor took control of the aircraft on final approach, in order to conduct an inspection of the runway. Since the instructor was satisfied with the condition of the runway, it was decided to do a circuit, followed by a touch and go on the ice strip. The wind was light out of the west, directly down the runway.

During the take-off portion of the touch and go, the aircraft began to drift to the right due to deeper snow. The instructor could not control the drift, and the aircraft departed the strip to the right.

The instructor shut the engine down just before the aircraft struck a large snow bank, on the right side of the strip. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose and the left wing.

Both the instructor and the student exited the aircraft with no injuries.

2019-01-12
C-FTXW, an Airbus 321-200 aircraft operated by Air Transat, was conducting flight TSC443 from Cancun Intl (MMUN), Mexico to Vancouver Intl (CYVR), BC with 6 crew members and 139 passengers on board. As ground personnel was loading the passenger bags into the holds, brown smoke could be seen coming out from one of them, and actually burning through the material. The suitcase was taken away from the gate area, and sprayed with a portable fire extinguisher.

ARFF came over and inspected the bag. It was determined that the fire and smoke was caused by electronic cigarette batteries that were overheating. A second bag belonging to a travel companion was removed as a precaution.

2019-01-09
C-GLXJ, a Piper PA-12 aircraft operated by Blue Sky Air, was conducting a flight from Manor, SK to Estevan (Blue Sky) (CBS2), SK with 1 pilot on board. During the takeoff roll from a farm field,
the aircraft struck a snow drift, pitched forward, and came to a rest on its nose.

The pilot was not injured, however the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller, engine and engine
cowling

2019-01-06
C-FWEP, a Bombardier DHC-8-400 aircraft operated by WestJet Encore, was conducting flight WEN3125 from Edmonton Intl (CYEG), AB to Kelowna (CYLW), BC. During the climb to cruising altitude after the departure from CYEG, the flight crew observed several caution messages related
to various electrical systems, and observed a dual AC generator failure. The fight crew declared a PAN PAN, and executed the appropriate QRH checklists. Following the QRH checklist completion,
the R TRU, PITOT HEAT 2, ENG ADAPT 2, DE ICE PRESS, and PUSHER SYST FAIL caution lights remained illuminated. The operator’s operational and maintenance control centres were
consulted. As the aircraft de-icing systems were no longer functional due to the AC system failure, the flight crew decided to divert to Calgary Intl (CYYC), AB where the aircraft landed without further
incident.

Upon inspection, the operator’s maintenance found evidence of arching from a 115 Volt, 3-phase AC supply feeder in the RH wheel well at the AC Contactor Box, connector plug assembly (2421-P5-2).

2019-01-05
C-FHMD, a privately operated Cessna 414A aircraft, was conducting a positioning flight from Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies Intl (CYXC), BC to Calgary/Springbank (CYBW), AB with only the pilot on board.

During the final approach for Runway 17 at CYBW, the pilot heard a change in propeller sound for the right engine. A check of the engine instruments indicated that the oil pressure for the right engine (Teledyne Continental Motors TSIOL-550-A) was 0 PSI.

The pilot proceeded to feather the right propeller, secured the engine, and declared an emergency. An uneventful single-engine approach and landing was completed.
Maintenance personnel determined that the cause of the oil loss to be a worn bushing in the RH engine turbo charger.

2018-11-09
N524AT, a Boeing 757-200 aircraft operated by Fly Jamaica Airways, was conducting flight FJM256 from Georgetown/Cheddi Jagan Intl (SYCJ), Guyana to Toronto/Lester B. Pearson Intl (CYYZ), ON with 8 crew members and 120 passengers on board.

During the climb to cruising altitude after the departure from SYCJ, the flight crew reported a hydraulic problem. The flight crew stopped the climb at FL200, and requested to return to SYCJ. Approximately 28 minutes later, the aircraft landed on Runway 06, and experienced a runway overrun. The aircraft came to a stop off the runway end, and to the right. The passengers and crew evacuated via the slides; 10 passengers received minor injuries during the evacuation. One of the injured persons subsequently died from the injuries 8 days later in Toronto. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The Guyana Aircraft Accident & Incident Investigation Unit (GCAA) is investigating the accident and has asked the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada for assistance. The TSB assigned an Accredited Representative, and is assisting the GCAA with Human Factors and Cabin Safety expertise.

2018-12-08
C-FSKA, a Beech A100 King Air aircraft operated by Beaver Air Services (dba Missinippi Airways), was conducting a flight York Landing (CZAC), MB to Thompson (CYTH), MB with 2 crew members
and 2 passengers on board. During cruise flight, the flight crew smelled and observed electrical smoke and fumes in the cockpit.

All unnecessary electrical equipment was turned off, and the
smoke was evacuated. The flight crew advised ATC, however no emergency was declared. The flight continued to CYTH where an uneventful landing was conducted with emergency vehicles
standing by as a precautionary measure.

A subsequent inspection by the operator’s maintenance revealed that the aircraft’s heater vent blower had seized. The vent blower motor was replaced, and the aircraft was returned to service.

2018-12-06
N813SK, a Bombardier CL-600-2D24 (CRJ900) aircraft operated by SkyWest Airlines, was conducting flight SKW4718 from Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson Intl (CYWG), MB to Minneapolis-Saint Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain (KMSP), MN. Shortly after the departure from CYWG, the flight crew observed a STEERING INOP caution message, followed by a GEAR DISAGREE warning message.

The flight crew requested vectors while they conducted the QRH procedure for the GEAR DISAGREE. Upon completion of the procedure, the landing gear indicators showed three green lights in the down position. An emergency was declared, and vectors were requested for a low approach so that ATC could visually inspect the landing gear.

The tower reported that the landing gear appeared down, and that the nose wheel was straight. An uneventful landing was then carried out with emergency vehicles standing by. The aircraft was subsequently towed to the gate.

A post-flight inspection by the operator’s maintenance revealed a leaking nose gear strut seal. The seal was replaced and the aircraft was returned to service.