The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 5 March 2020.
Runway incursion and risk of collision
Trail Regional Airport
Trail, British Columbia
The occurrence
On , a Pacific Coastal Airlines Ltd. Beechcraft 1900C aircraft (registration C-GIPC, serial number UC 110), operating as flight PCO451, was on a scheduled flight from Vancouver International Airport (CYVR), British Columbia (BC), to Trail Airport (CAD4), BC, with 2 flight crew members and 19 passengers on board. While the aircraft was conducting an approach to land southbound on Runway 16, an airport vehicle was travelling northbound on the runway, performing a runway inspection. When the aircraft touched down, the airport vehicle was still on the runway. The airport vehicle exited the runway onto the taxiway before the aircraft reached the runway/taxiway intersection, avoiding a collision. Radio communications had not been established between the aircraft and the airport vehicle. There were no injuries, and there was no damage to the aircraft.
Media materials
News releases
Runway incursion illustrates risks to safe operations when communications break down between airport operations staff and flight crew
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB investigating a runway incursion in Trail, BC
Richmond, British Columbia, 24 December 2018 - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is conducting an investigation into the 12 December 2018 runway incursion that took place at the Trail Regional Airport in Trail, British Columbia.
Investigation information
A18P0177
Runway incursion and risk of collision
Trail Regional Airport
Trail, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Dan Clarke joined the TSB’s Air Investigations Branch as a Senior Technical Investigator in the Pacific Region in 2018. During his career, Mr. Clarke worked as an aircraft maintenance engineer – structures, for several fixed wing and rotary wing operations.
Mr. Clarke also has several years’ experience as a Quality Assurance Manager. Prior to joining the TSB, he worked for Transport Canada's Civil Aviation Branch for nine years, the first four years as an Airworthiness Inspector and the last five years as a Technical Team Lead.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- 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.
- 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.