Canjet Airlines Flight 184: Loss of Directional Control on Landing at Halifax

Incident Overview and Approach Conditions Canjet Airlines Flight 184, a Boeing 737 with serial number 22352 and registration C-FGCJ, was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Ottawa to Halifax International Airport in Nova Scotia. At approximately 2107 Atlantic Standard Time, Moncton Area Control Center cleared the flight for an instrument landing system approach to Runway 15. The automatic terminal information system reported a ceiling of about 100 feet above ground level, and the crew later received runway visual range information of 2,200 feet with lights at strength five. ## Loss of Directional Control After Touchdown The aircraft touched down at 2113 Atlantic Standard Time in darkness. Immediately after touchdown, the pilot lost directional control, and the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline, with the left wheel near the runway edge, before the captain regained control. The aircraft was brought back to the center and stopped. Passengers deplaned normally at the assigned gate, with no injuries and no reported damage to the aircraft. ## Crew Experience and Approach Details The captain had 12,800 total flight hours, including 1,500 hours on the Boeing 737. The first officer had about 7,500 total hours, including 800 hours on the Boeing 737. The first officer flew a stabilized, coupled ILS approach using the autopilot. The captain acquired visual contact with the approach lights at 300 feet above ground level, the threshold lights at 200 feet, and several edge lights at 100 feet. At about 200 feet, the captain advised the first officer that the aircraft was right of the extended centerline. Not seeing a response, the captain took control at about 100 feet, when a strong gust from the right caused the aircraft to drift left. Visibility then deteriorated due to ground fog, and the aircraft was in a low-energy state. ## Runway and Weather Factors Runway 15 at Halifax is 7,700 feet long and 200 feet wide, with a smooth asphalt surface and no centerline lighting. A runway surface condition report before the landing indicated that 180 feet of the runway was 100% bare and wet, while the remaining portion was 50% bare and wet and 50% compact snow. Surface wind was reported as 190° magnetic at 12 knots gusting to 19 knots, with an outside air temperature of 2°C. Runway 24, which had superior lighting, was closed because of pooling water on its southeastern side. ## Findings and Contributing Factors The investigation found that ground fog degraded the crew's visual cues in the final moments of the approach, preventing them from detecting and correcting the aircraft's left drift before touchdown. It is likely that a combination of drift, reverse thrust, strong gusting crosswind, and the wet runway resulted in the loss of directional control. The continued application of right wheel braking throughout the loss of control may have delayed recovery. The absence of hydroplaning-related tire damage and the lack of standing water on the runway suggested that hydroplaning did not occur.