Occurrence
On 20 February 2026, an Airbus A320-214 operated by Air Canada Rouge was conducting a night instrument approach to Runway 06 at Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport, New Brunswick. Simultaneously, a solo student pilot from Moncton Flight College was preparing for a night visual flight rules flight in a Diamond DA20-C1. The training aircraft had been cleared to taxi along Runway 29 for departure from Runway 06, with instructions to hold short of the runway.
While on short final for Runway 06, the Airbus flight crew observed the other aircraft on the runway and executed a go-around. The student pilot then contacted the control tower, reporting significant wake turbulence from the Airbus and requesting a return to the hangar for inspection. During this communication, the controller determined that the flight training aircraft had taxied past the hold short line for Runway 06. The controller authorized the student pilot to perform a 180-degree turn on Runway 06 and taxi back to the Moncton Flight College hangar.
The Airbus aircraft completed a second approach and landed on Runway 06 without further incident. A maintenance inspection of the Diamond DA20-C1 found no reported structural or mechanical damage.
Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is conducting a class 3 investigation into the occurrence. As of April 2026, the TSB has completed witness interviews and plans additional interviews. Relevant operational, maintenance, and training documentation is being collected. Aircraft and radar data have been received and are being used to reconstruct the flight path of the Air Canada Rouge aircraft. Air traffic control communication recordings have been recovered and are being analyzed to better understand the circumstances leading up to the occurrence. No safety communications have been issued to date.