What happened
On 05 January 2020, a Boeing 737-8CT, registered as C-FUJR, was operating as WestJet Airlines Ltd. flight WJA248. The aircraft was performing an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario, to Halifax/Stanfield International Airport, Nova Scotia, carrying 17/2 passengers and 6 crew members.
While the flight crew had initially intended to approach Runway 05, deteriorating weather conditions—specifically a lowering ceiling and diminished visibility—prompted a request to switch to the Runway 14 instrument landing system approach. During the landing at 1207 Atlantic Standard Time, the aircraft touched down on a runway surface covered in snow and water. The aircraft encountered a tailwind component during the landing roll, which prevented the crew from stopping the plane within the runway limits. The aircraft subsequently overran the end of Runway 14, coming to a halt in the snow approximately 300 feet (91 m) past the runway threshold. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft, and no post-impact fire occurred.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the landing and the environmental conditions at the time of the overrun. Investigators examined the aircraft's performance during the landing roll, the impact of the tailwind, and the state of the runway surface. The investigation also noted that the emergency locator transmitter failed to activate during the event.