The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 20 May 2021.
Runway overrun
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Boeing 737-8CT, C-FUJR
Halifax/Stanfield International Airport, Nova Scotia
The occurrence
On , the WestJet Airlines Ltd. Boeing 737-8CT aircraft (registration C-FUJR, serial number 60130), operated as flight WJA248, was conducting an instrument flight rules flight from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario, to Halifax/Stanfield International Airport, Nova Scotia, with 172 passengers and 6 crew members on board. The flight crew had originally planned for an approach for Runway 05 at the Halifax/Stanfield International Airport. However, approximately 14 minutes before landing, due to lowering ceiling and reduced visibility, they requested to change to the Runway 14 instrument landing system approach. At 1207 Atlantic Standard Time, the aircraft touched down with a tailwind component on the wet, snow-covered runway. Following touchdown, the aircraft could not be stopped and it overran the end of Runway 14. The aircraft came to rest in snow with the nose wheel approximately 300 feet (91 m) beyond the runway end. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft. There was no post-impact fire, and the emergency locator transmitter did not activate.
Media materials
News release
January 2020 runway overrun in Halifax, Nova Scotia highlights longstanding TSB Watchlist issue
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team following a runway overrun at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 5 January 2020 – The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Nova Scotia, following a runway overrun of a Boeing 737 operated by WestJet. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A20A0001
Runway overrun
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Boeing 737-8CT, C-FUJR
Halifax/Stanfield International Airport, Nova Scotia
Investigator-in-charge
Daphne Boothe has over 20 years of civil aviation experience. She joined the TSB in 2013 as an operations investigator in the Atlantic Region.
Before joining the TSB, Mrs. Boothe spent 10 years flying for 703/704 operators in Northwestern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, flying scheduled and charter flights.
Mrs. Boothe holds an Airline Transport License with over 6000 hours of flying experience and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
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
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- 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.
- 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.