Bombardier CRJ 900 crash landed at Pearson in February
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released preliminary findings into the February 17 crash involving a Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport, shedding new light on the sequence of events that led to the serious incident. Although the investigation remains ongoing, key details have begun to emerge regarding structural failures, evacuation challenges, and areas of concern for future safety improvements.
According to the TSB’s preliminary report, the accident occurred during the aircraft’s landing phase, when the right main landing gear collapsed after touchdown, triggering a cascade of structural failures. "The side-stay attached to the aircraft's right main landing gear fractured. The landing gear retracted, and the wing root fractured between the landing gear and the fuselage," says Ken Webster, the TSB lead investigator and manager regional operations- Ontario, in a video update shared Thursday. As a result, the aircraft’s right wing detached from the fuselage, releasing a cloud of jet fuel that ignited as the plane skidded along the runway.
All passengers and crew successfully evacuated, though not without difficulty. The cockpit door became jammed shut, forcing the flight crew to use the emergency hatch located on the ceiling of the cockpit. Webster confirmed that after evacuation, an explosion occurred outside the aircraft near the left wing root, though the cause of that explosion remains undetermined.
Preliminary analysis has not revealed any immediate signs of flight control malfunctions. The report states: "A visual examination of the flight control system components did not reveal any pre-existing anomalies. Additionally, the preliminary analysis of the flight data recorder did not reveal any caution or warning messages pertaining to flight control."
To better understand the crash dynamics, investigators conducted simulated approaches and landings in a CRJ 900 flight simulator. "This allowed them to simulate the conditions of the crash and gain insights on the accident sequence," Webster explained.
Several focal points have been identified for the remainder of the investigation. These include:
- Metallurgy of the wing structure
- Certification of the landing gear and wing assembly
- Landing techniques and pilot training, particularly concerning hard landings
- Cabin obstructions and evacuation challenges when inverted
- Secondary evacuation routes in the flight deck
- Flight attendant emergency coordination and training
- Organizational and management factors contributing to the incident
"The investigation into this accident will take some time, as many questions remain unanswered," Webster emphasized. "The findings for this investigation will be found in the final report and will be crucial in preventing similar accidents from happening in the future."
The TSB’s detailed investigation page notes that they are collaborating closely with Bombardier, the aircraft operator, and Transport Canada to gather additional information and determine safety deficiencies.
As the investigation progresses, the aviation community and regulators alike will be watching closely for any recommendations aimed at strengthening structural integrity standards, evacuation protocols, and pilot training programs to avoid a repeat of this serious incident.
