Canadian Aviator Magazine

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.

2018-12-19
C-FMZU, an Embraer 190-100 aircraft operated by Air Canada, was conducting flight ACA592 from Houston/George Bush Intercontinental (KIAH), TX to Toronto/Lester B. Pearson Intl (CYYZ), ON with 4 crew members and 65 passengers on board. Passing FL280 during the climb to cruising altitude, approximately 110 nm northeast of KIAH, the flight experienced continuous moderate turbulence.

As the flight passed through FL300, the turbulence became severe and the flight crew observed the vertical speed in excess of 2500 feet per minute. A higher level was requested, however it was denied by ATC due to heavy traffic at FL320. The flight crew levelled off at FL310 in continuous moderate turbulence, and subsequently climbed to FL350 a short while later.

The operator’s maintenance carried out a phase one inspection and found no faults. The aircraft was returned to service.

2018-12-12
C-GZEH, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Air Transat, was conducting flight TSC041 from Paris/Orly (LFPO), France to Toronto/Lester B. Pearson Intl (CYYZ), ON with only 2 flight crew members on board. Just before the flight crew set take-off thrust at the start of the take-off roll, a thick white smoke filled the cockpit. The flight crew rejected the takeoff, and the smoke dissipated as soon as the power was brought back to idle. The aircraft exited the runway.

The aircraft was on its first flight with Air Transat, and was on a positioning flight as it was being delivered to CYYZ. The previous operator’s maintenance had prepared the aircraft, and it was found that both engine oil levels were over-serviced.

Both engine oil reservoirs were drained as per the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), and an idle run leak check was completed. The aircraft was returned to service.

2018-11-08
C-FEJF, an Embraer ERJ 170-200 aircraft operated by Sky Regional Airlines, was performing flight SKV7634 from Montreal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl (CYUL), QC to New York/La Guardia (KLGA), NY with 4 crew members and 77 passengers on board. During cruise flight approximately 210 nm North of KLGA, in the vicinity of Saranac Lake, NY, the aircraft experienced severe turbulence.

All passengers were seated at the time of the event, but the aircraft experienced violent shaking and banked to the side. Once the aircraft returned to wings level, the flight crew was able to confirm that no passengers had been injured, however both cabin crew members sustained minor injuries.

Emergency medical services (EMS) was requested upon arrival at KLGA, and both cabin crew members were released after examination. The flight crew were relieved for the return leg back to CYUL.

Following an inspection by the operator’s maintenance, the aircraft was returned to service.