Investigation explains why plane overran runway in the Sault in 2023

The Transport Safety Board of Canada says the crew of a Porter Airlines flight landing in Sault Ste. Marie in April 2023 didn't realize the plane was so far down the runway.

That caused the De Havilland DHC-8-402 aircraft to skid off the runway, the TSB said in a news release Wednesday. There were 56 people on board at the time but there were no injuries and the plane was not damaged.

The April 16, 2023, flight was flying to the Sault from Billy Bishop/Toronto City Airport at night.

"The aircraft landed at its destination but overran the end of the runway by 350 feet," the TSB said.

"The investigation found that once the aircraft was over the runway, the flight crew’s focus briefly shifted to other tasks. With limited visual cues available during the night landing, they did not recognize that they were further down the runway than expected when they touched down."

Full braking of the aircraft didn't take place until 850 feet from the end of the runway, "when the captain recognized the runway end lights."

"With full brakes applied, the aircraft should have been able to stop within the remaining runway length," the investigation found.

"However, braking performance was degraded, likely due to the runway surface texture on the last 300 feet of runway and possible air contamination in the hydraulic system."

After the incident, Porter Airlines made several changes to training and enhanced standard operating procedures for landing for its DHC-8-402 flight crews.

"These included more consideration for touchdown zone awareness, runway surface conditions, braking techniques, and the use of reverse thrust, among other items," the TSB said.

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"As this occurrence demonstrates, when a runway overrun occurs during a landing, it is important that the aircraft has an adequate clear space beyond the end of the runway to reduce adverse consequences."

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. However, the TSB doesn't assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

Click here to read more about the investigation.