Air transportation safety investigation A19Q0015

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 21 January 2020.

Table of contents

    Runway incursion
    Aéroports de Montréal
    Four Oshkosh Corporation HT Tractors (snowplow-sweepers)
    Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On , a Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft operated by SkyWest Airlines was on an instrument flight rules flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, USA (KORD), to Montréal / Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec (CYUL). Snow-removal operations had been carried out at CYUL by 3 vehicles on Runway 24R, and the snow-removal convoy was proceeding toward Runway 24L. The lead vehicle of the convoy received and read back the instruction to stay clear of Runway 24L. The aircraft was on final approach for Runway 24L when the lead vehicle incurred on Runway 24L, followed by the other vehicles. The air traffic controller instructed the aircraft crew to abort the approach as the aircraft crossed the runway threshold and was a few hundred feet above the ground. The crew conducted a go-around and returned to Runway 24L, landing safely once the vehicles had cleared the runway. There were no injuries.

    Media materials

    News release

    2020-01-21

    Runway incursion by snowplow proceeding through holding position onto active runway
    Read the news release

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A19Q0015

    Runway incursion
    Aéroports de Montréal
    Four Oshkosh Corporation HT Tractors (snowplow-sweepers)
    Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.