The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 14 April 2021.
Runway excursion
Perimeter Aviation LP
Fairchild SA227-DC Metro 23, C-GJVB
Dryden Regional Airport (CYHD), Ontario
The occurrence
On , the Fairchild SA227-DC Metro 23 aircraft (registration C-GJVB, serial number DC-902B), operated by Perimeter Aviation LP as Bearskin Airlines flight 344, was conducting a visual flight rules flight from Dryden Regional Airport, Ontario, to Sioux Lookout Airport, Ontario, with 2 crew members and 6 passengers on board. At 1610 Central Standard Time, as the aircraft commenced its take-off roll on Runway 12, directional control was lost. The aircraft ran off the right side of the runway approximately 150 m from the runway threshold lights and struck a frozen snowbank. It came to a rest in an upright position approximately 18 m off the side of the runway and in about 46 cm of snow. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The flight crew and passengers egressed through the main cabin door. The emergency locator transmitter did not activate.
Media materials
News release
Interrupted checklist procedures contributed to 2020 runway excursion in Dryden, Ontario
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB will deploy an investigator to Dryden, Ontario, following a runway excursion
Winnipeg, Manitoba, 25 February 2020 – The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) will deploy an investigator tomorrow to the Dryden Regional Airport, Ontario, following a runway excursion that occurred on 24 February 2020. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A20C0016
Runway excursion
Perimeter Aviation LP
Fairchild SA227-DC Metro 23, C-GJVB
Dryden Regional Airport (CYHD), Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Eckhard Dittbrenner has more than 35 years of civil aviation experience and joined the TSB in 1999. Prior to joining the TSB, he worked as an aircraft technician for a commuter airline and worked for Transport Canada Aviation Enforcement for eight years. Since joining the TSB, Mr. Dittbrenner participated in several TSB investigations, including the investigation into the 2005 Air France accident at Pearson Airport in Toronto.
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.