The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 12 May 2021.
Table of contents
Loss of pitch control on landing
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Bombardier CL-600-2B16 (Challenger 605), C-GKCP
Calgary International Airport, Alberta
The occurrence
On 23 February 2020, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company Bombardier CL-600-2B16 (Challenger 605) (registration C-GKCP, serial number 5945) departed Palm Beach International Airport, Florida, United States, for Calgary International Airport, Alberta, with 3 crew members and 10 passengers on board.
During the descent into the greater Calgary area, the flight crew selected flaps 20 and immediately received a “FLAPS FAIL” caution message on the engine indication and crew alerting system. The flight crew requested and received delaying vectors to the east, and proceeded to complete the flaps fail procedure in the Quick Reference Handbook. The aircraft was then sequenced back in for a zero-flap landing on Runway 17R. The aircraft touched down at 1434 Mountain Standard Time. During the landing roll, maximum reverse thrust was selected and the aircraft’s pitch attitude increased to the point where the aircraft became partially airborne for a brief moment and the rear fuselage struck the runway. During the process of recovery from the nose-high attitude, the nose landing gear struck the runway hard. The landing roll was completed and the aircraft continued to the intended parking area. There were no injuries to any of the aircraft occupants although there was significant damage to the forward fuselage.
Safety communication
Air Safety Information Letter A20W0016-D1-L1: Challenger 605 Series Flap System Inspection Interval and Challenger CL60 Series Cross Fleet Product Improvement
Media materials
News release
TSB releases investigation report about a 2020 landing accident in Calgary, Alberta
Read the news release
Investigation information
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.