The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 12 May 2020.
Runway incursion
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Snow removal vehicles
Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport
Mississauga, Ontario
The occurrence
On , the Sky Regional Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200 SU aircraft (registration C-FEJB, serial number 17000086) was operating as flight SKV7665 on a scheduled flight from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario, to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, United States. At 1348 Eastern Standard Time, the aircraft was departing from Runway 06L during snowy weather conditions.
At the same time, a group of 4 snow removal vehicles was operating north of Runway 06L and proceeding southbound on Taxiway E. The ground controller instructed the vehicles to turn left onto Taxiway C; however, the vehicles turned left on Taxiway C2 toward Runway 06L and 3 of the vehicles continued past the holding position. The ground controller instructed the vehicles to stop, which they did just before the runway surface. The tower controller instructed flight SKV7665 to abort its takeoff; the flight crew rejected the takeoff, and the aircraft came to a stop just before Taxiway C2. There was no damage to the aircraft, nor injury to the occupants.
Media materials
News release
Poor visibility and vehicle tracking data error contributed to 2019 runway incursion at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport
Read the news release
Investigation information
A19O0006
Runway incursion
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Snow removal vehicles
Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport
Mississauga, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Ken Webster joined the TSB team in 2005, and works as Manager, Regional Operations out of the Ontario office. Mr. Webster has been investigator-in-charge in numerous TSB investigations, and assisted in several others, involving airplane, helicopter and air traffic control. Prior to the TSB he worked in civil aviation for 20 years, in several different capacities. As a pilot, Mr. Webster has flown numerous aircraft types throughout Canada and the US.
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.