What happened
On 11 November 2007, a Bombardier Global 5000, registration C-GXPR, was arriving at the Fox Harbour aerodrome in Nova Scotia from Hamilton, Ontario. The aircraft, operated by Jetport Inc., was carrying two crew members and eight passengers.
During the approach to Runway 33, the crew planned a touchdown point within the first 500 feet of the runway to maximize available roll-out distance, a technique they had successfully used in smaller aircraft. However, as the aircraft approached the threshold, the pilot flying transitioned to manual controls and utilized a wing-low technique to manage a crosswind. During this phase, the aircraft descended below the guidance provided by the abbreviated precision approach path indicator (APAPI).
At approximately 1434 local time, the aircraft struck the sloped surface 7 feet short of the runway threshold and 18 inches below the runway surface. The impact caused the right main landing gear to collapse, leading to a loss of directional control. The aircraft drifted off the right side of the runway, coming to a stop 1000 feet from the initial impact. The accident resulted in two serious injuries and eight minor injuries. The aircraft sustained major structural damage.
The investigation
The TSB examined the flight profiles, crew experience, and organizational safety oversight. The investigation established that the crew was relatively new to the Global 5000 type, with the captain having completed only 14 segments on the aircraft and the first officer having not yet completed line training.
Investigators looked into the aircraft's performance and the suitability of the visual glide slope indicators at the aerodrome. The investigation also reviewed Jetport Inc.'s safety management systems and the regulatory oversight provided by the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) and Transport Canada.