Incident Overview
Inter-Canadien Flight 2210, a Fokker F28 Mk 1000C (serial number 11099), departed Halifax for St. John's, Newfoundland, on a scheduled flight. The aircraft carried two pilots, two flight attendants, 55 passengers, and one deadheading company pilot in the cockpit jump seat. During the approach to Runway 16 under night instrument meteorological conditions, the crew executed a localizer approach. The runway featured a displaced threshold that reduced the usable length from 7,000 feet to 5,530 feet, with a wet surface and no standing water.
Approach and Landing Dynamics
The autopilot malfunctioned shortly after clearance for the straight-in approach, prompting the captain to hand-fly the remainder of the descent. The aircraft crossed the beacon at the specified altitude but subsequently descended below the minimum descent altitude, reaching approximately 900 feet above sea level. The ground proximity warning system repeatedly indicated an excessive sink rate, which the crew deactivated before continuing. The aircraft touched down at 118 knots, approximately 1,200 feet past the displaced threshold.
Runway Excursion and Aftermath
Upon touchdown, the captain reported a lack of braking action despite applying maximum toe braking and utilizing the alternate braking system. The aircraft continued down the runway, experiencing heading oscillations before departing the end of the runway at 65 knots. It came to rest 420 feet beyond the runway end, slightly left of the centerline. During the overrun, the nose gear collapsed after striking debris, causing structural damage to the wheel well area and minor damage to the left wing leading edge from contact with a localizer antenna.
Injuries and Evacuation
Of the 60 individuals on board, five passengers and two crew members sustained minor injuries. The cabin crew initially instructed passengers to remain seated as no immediate threat to life was observed. However, after realizing their evacuation command had not been heard due to electrical power being shut down, the captain ordered an evacuation. All occupants exited via the forward right door, as the left door could not open fully due to the nose resting on the ground. Emergency vehicles arrived approximately one minute after the overrun.