What happened
On the afternoon of 2 December 2016, an Airbus A320 operated by Air Canada, flying as flight AC221, was performing its takeoff roll on Runway 29 at Calgary International Airport (CYYC). The flight was scheduled to travel from Calgary, Alberta, to Vancouver, British Columbia.
During the acceleration phase, specifically when the aircraft had reached an altitude of approximately 2200 feet into its takeoff roll, the flight crew identified another aircraft on the runway. A Sunwest Aviation Ltd. Swearingen SA-226-TC was in the process of crossing Runway 29 from south to north via Taxiway Alpha. At the moment the crew made visual contact with the crossing aircraft, the Swearingette SA-226-TC was already more than 50% across the active runway. Despite the proximity, the Air Canada crew elected to continue the takeoff, and no collision occurred.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the movements of both aircraft and the coordination between ground and air traffic control. Investigators examined the clearance provided to the Sunwest Aviation Ltd. aircraft, which had been authorized to cross Runway 29 to reach the northwest hangar line.