Air transportation safety investigation A18P0042

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 12 July 2018.

Table of contents

    In-flight emergency due to smoke in cockpit and cabin
    WestJet Encore Ltd.
    Bombardier DHC-8-402, C-GJEN
    Nanaimo Airport, British Columbia

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On , while on approach to the Nanaimo Airport, British Columbia, the crew of a WestJet Encore Bombardier DHC-8-402 declared an emergency due to smoke in the cabin. The aircraft landed at Nanaimo and the passengers and crew evacuated onto the runway. There were no reported injuries.

    Media materials

    News release

    2018-07-12

    Investigation report: March 2018 in-flight emergency due to smoke in cockpit and cabin at Nanaimo Airport, British Columbia
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2018-03-21

    TSB deploys a team of investigators at the Nanaimo Airport, British Columbia, following an incident aboard an aircraft

    Vancouver, British Columbia, 21 March 2018 - The Transportation Safety Board is deploying a team of investigators at the Nanaimo Airport in British Columbia following an incident aboard a WestJet Encore flight. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A18P0042

    In-flight emergency due to smoke in cockpit and cabin
    WestJet Encore Ltd.
    Bombardier DHC-8-402, C-GJEN
    Nanaimo Airport, British Columbia

    Photos

    Image
    TSB investigator examining one of the engines of the occurrence aircraft
    Image
    Front view of the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop after it landed in Nanaimo

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

    TSB investigation process

    There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
    3. Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.

    For more information, see our Investigation process page.

    The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.