What happened
On 19 July 2019, a WestJet Encore De Havilland DHC-8-402, registered as C-FKWE, was performing a scheduled flight from Fort McMurray to Edmonton. The aircraft was carrying 70 passengers and 4 crew members at the time of the incident. During the landing phase on Runway 12, the aircraft experienced an abnormal contact with the runway surface.
After the aircraft exited the runway and moved onto Taxiway A2, the flight crew identified that both nose tires had burst. Due to ongoing thunderstorm activity in the area, maintenance personnel were unable to access the aircraft to replace the tires for approximately 40 minutes. Following the deplaning of all passengers at the gate, a more thorough inspection of the airframe was conducted.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft to determine the extent of the damage caused by the landing. The inspection revealed several areas of structural concern, including wrinkles in the fuselage skins and damage to the left nose gear door. Furthermore, the investigation established that the forward pressure bulkhead and the nose gear assembly had sustained damage.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a hard landing involving abnormal contact with the runway.
- The impact resulted in the bursting of the two nose tires.
- There were no injuries reported among the 70 passengers or 4 crew members.