What happened
On the night of 20 February 2026, an Airbus A320-214 operated by Air Canada Rouge was performing an instrument approach to Runway 06 at Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport in New Brunswick. During the final stages of the approach, the flight crew identified another aircraft positioned on the runway and immediately executed a go-around.
At the time of the incident, a Diamond DA 20-C1 operated by a student pilot from Moncton Flight College was preparing for a night flight under visual flight rules. The student pilot had been instructed to taxi along Runway 29 and hold short of Runway 06. However, the aircraft had moved past the designated hold short line.
Following the go-around, the student pilot notified the control tower, reporting that the aircraft had encountered heavy wake turbulence from the passing Airbus. The pilot requested permission to return to the hangar for a mechanical check. The controller, noting the student pilot had crossed the hold short line, permitted the pilot to perform a 180-degree turn on Runway 06 and taxi back to the Moncton Flight College hangar. The Air Canada Rouge aircraft completed a second approach and landed safely.
The investigation
Investigators have conducted interviews with witnesses and are planning further discussions. The TSB has collected relevant maintenance, training, and operational records. To reconstruct the flight path of the Airbus A320-214, the TSB Laboratory is analyzing aircraft and radar data. Additionally, air traffic control communications have been recovered and are undergoing analysis to clarify the sequence of events.
Findings
- A maintenance inspection of the Diamond DA 20-C1 revealed no mechanical or structural damage.
- The student pilot had taxied past the hold short line for Runway 06.