What happened
On March 7, 2020, an Air Canada Embraer 190 (registration C-FMZW) was performing a takeoff from Runway 06L at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport. The aircraft was operating flight ACA1037 with 83 passengers and 4 crew members on board. During the initial takeoff roll, the aircraft struck a bird, prompting the flight crew to execute a rejected takeoff. The crew subsequently broadcasted a radio call to notify air traffic control of the aborted departure.
Simultaneously, an Air Canada Boeing 777 (registration C-FJZS) was cleared to line up on the same runway for flight ACA606, carrying 345 passengers and 14 crew members. As the Boeing 777 began its takeoff roll, the flight crew noticed the Embraer 190 was still occupying the runway. The Boeing 777 crew then initiated their own rejected takeoff. Both aircraft successfully exited the runway and returned to the terminal. There were no injuries and no damage to either aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the communication breakdown and the technical factors that contributed to the runway incursion. Investigators examined why the radio call regarding the rejected takeoff was not heard by air traffic control or the crew of the second aircraft. It was determined that the Boeing 777 crew was transmitting their takeoff clearance readback on the same frequency at the exact moment the Embraer 190 crew attempted to report the bird strike and aborted takeoff.
Furthermore, the investigation identified that inaccurate transponder information played a role in the incident, affecting the situational awareness required to prevent the risk of collision.