What happened
On a scheduled night passenger flight from Toronto to Fredericton, a Fokker F-28 MK 1000, registration C-GKCR, overran the end of runway 09. The aircraft, operated by Canadian Regional Airlines, was carrying 42 passengers and four crew members. The flight proceeded normally until the landing phase, where the aircraft exited the runway at 58 knots, coming to rest approximately 320 feet beyond the perimeter fence. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft.
Prior to arrival, the crew requested runway 09 be swept due to favorable winds. While initial reports indicated the runway was bare and wet, subsequent updates showed the presence of thin slush. During the approach, the crew was not informed that slush was accumulating rapidly on the runway surfaces. Although the aircraft touched down within normal parameters, the presence of slush prevented the aircraft from stopping within the available runway length.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, noting that the flight itself was routine. Post-occurrence testing confirmed that the aircraft's mechanical systems, including the wheel brakes and anti-skid system, were functioning normally. The aircraft's weight and balance were within limits, and the tires were in good condition.
Analysis of the runway surface condition (RSC) revealed that while the crew had received reports of slush, they likely believed the runway would remain primarily bare and wet. The investigation found that the deceleration during the landing roll was significantly lower than what would be expected on a standard wet runway. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the existing Canadian runway friction index (CRFI) charts provided no specific guidance for slush-contaminated surfaces, leaving the crew without a reliable method to estimate stopping distances for such conditions.