What happened
On 07 October 2014, an Airbus 330-343, registered as C-GFAF, was operating as Air Canada flight ACA875 from Frankfurt-Rhein/Main International Airport in Germany to Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Quebec. As the aircraft approached Runway 24R during daylight hours, the crew was notified that the runway lighting was out of service. At the time, this was the only active runway at the airport.
During the final approach, the flight conditions transitioned from visual to instrument meteorological conditions due to a thunderstorm located just north of the airport. While utilizing the instrument landing system, the aircraft encountered a heavy rain shower and a right crosswind of more than 20 knots. Consequently, the aircraft drifted from its intended path and touched down to the left of the runway centerline at 12:34 EDT. During the rollout, the left rear tire of the left main landing gear drifted off the paved surface, traveling roughly 600 feet before the aircraft returned to the runway. The aircraft eventually taxied to the terminal gate, where passengers were able to disembark safely.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the environmental conditions and the aircraft's path during the landing phase. Investigators examined the impact of the thunderstorm, the lack of runway lighting, and the specific meteorological changes occurring during the approach. The assessment also included the physical movement of the aircraft relative to the runway centerline and the subsequent excursion of the landing gear off the hard surface.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered heavy rain and a significant right crosswind during the final approach.
- The transition from visual to instrument meteorological conditions occurred during the approach.
- The runway lighting for Runway 24R was non-functional at the time of the landing.
- The excursion resulted in damage to three runway edge lights, though the Airbus 330-343 itself sustained no damage.
- There were no injuries to the passengers or crew.