What happened
On the night of 2 September 2025, an Airbus A220-300 operated by Air Canada, flying as flight ACA1398, was performing a scheduled departure from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) to Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR). The flight was carrying 122 passengers and five crew members under clear weather conditions.
While the Air Canada aircraft was accelerating down Runway 23, a Bombardier Global Express BD-700 was taxiing northbound on Runway 33L. This aircraft, operated by Bombardier for a production ground test, was carrying two aircraft maintenance engineers and one inspector. During the taxi, air traffic control (ATC) observed the Bombardier aircraft crossing the hold short line and issued instructions to hold short. However, the aircraft continued its movement toward the active runway. ATC had to issue an urgent stop command, but the Bombardier aircraft did not come to a halt until its nose was approximately 35 feet onto Runway 23. The Air Canada flight became airborne shortly before reaching the point where the two aircraft intersected.
The investigation
As of October 2025, the TSB has recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from both the Airbus A220-300 and the Bombardier Global Express BD-700. Investigators have also secured ground radar data and ATC communications from NAV CANADA. The investigation team has conducted interviews with the flight crews of both aircraft, the maintenance personnel on board the Bombardier jet, and the relevant air traffic controllers.