AVIATION INVESTIGATION REPORT A05H0002 RUNWAY OVERRUN AND FIRE AIR FRANCE AIRBUS A340-313 F-GLZQ TORONTO/LESTER B. PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ONTARIO 02 AUGUST 2005 The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigated this occurrence for the purpose of advancing transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability. Aviation Investigation Report Runway Overrun and Fire Air France Airbus A340-313 F-GLZQ Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario 02 August 2005 Report Number A05H0002 Synopsis The Air France Airbus A340-313 aircraft (registration F-GLZQ, serial number 0289) departed Paris, France, at 1153 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as Air France Flight 358 on a scheduled flight to Toronto, Ontario, with 297 passengers and 12 crew members on board. Before departure, the flight crew members obtained their arrival weather forecast, which included the possibility of thunderstorms. While approaching Toronto, the flight crew members were advised of weather-related delays. On final approach, they were advised that the crew of an aircraft landing ahead of them had reported poor braking action, and Air France Flight 358’s aircraft weather radar was displaying heavy precipitation encroaching on the runway from the northwest. At about 200 feet above the runway threshold, while on the instrument landing system approach to Runway 24L with autopilot and autothrust disconnected, the aircraft deviated above the glideslope and the groundspeed began to increase. The aircraft crossed the runway threshold about 40 feet above the glideslope. During the flare, the aircraft travelled through an area of heavy rain, and visual contact with the runway environment was significantly reduced. There were numerous lightning strikes occurring, particularly at the far end of the runway. The aircraft touched down about 3800 feet down the runway, reverse thrust was selected about 12.8 seconds after landing, and full reverse was selected 16.4 seconds after touchdown. The aircraft was not able to stop on the 9000-foot runway and departed the far end at a groundspeed of about 80 knots. The aircraft stopped in a ravine at 2002 UTC (1602 eastern daylight time) and caught fire. All passengers and crew members were able to evacuate the aircraft before the fire reached the escape routes. A total of 2 crew members and 10 passengers were seriously injured during the crash and the ensuing evacuation. Ce rapport est également disponible en français. © Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2007 Cat. No. TU3-5/05-3E ISBN 978-0-662-47298-8 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Factual Information ........................................................................ 1 1.1 History of the Flight ............................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Departure............................................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 En Route................................................................................................................. 1 1.1.3 Descent and Approach ........................................................................................ 2 1.1.4 Landing.................................................................................................................. 5 1.2 Injuries to Persons ................................................................................................ 6 1.3 Damage to the Aircraft ........................................................................................ 7 1.4 Other Damage....................................................................................................... 7 1.5 Personnel Information ......................................................................................... 7 1.5.1 Captain Information............................................................................................. 7 1.5.2 First Officer Information...................................................................................... 8 1.5.3 Cabin Crew Information.................................................................................... 10 1.6 Aircraft Information........................................................................................... 11 1.6.1 General Information........................................................................................... 11 1.6.2 Aircraft Weight and Balance............................................................................. 12 1.6.3 Landing Speeds................................................................................................... 12 1.6.4 Landing Distance Calculations......................................................................... 12 1.6.5 Stopping Performance ....................................................................................... 14 1.6.6 Aircraft Seats and Restraint Systems............................................................... 14 1.6.7 Emergency Exits ................................................................................................. 15 1.6.8 Evacuation Escape Devices ............................................................................... 15 1.6.9 Evacuation Alert System ................................................................................... 16 1.6.10 Cabin Emergency Lighting ............................................................................... 16 1.6.11 Public Address System ...................................................................................... 17 1.6.12 Emergency Equipment ...................................................................................... 17 1.6.13 Automatic Flight System ................................................................................... 17 1.6.14 Fuel Management and Monitoring .................................................................. 19 1.6.15 Weather Radar .................................................................................................... 19 1.6.16 Windshear Detection and Prediction............................................................... 20 1.6.17 Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System.................... 21 1.6.18 Ground Spoilers.................................................................................................. 21 1.6.19 Brake System and Antiskid............................................................................... 22 1.6.20 Engine Controls .................................................................................................. 22 1.6.21 Rain Removal System ........................................................................................ 22 1.7 Meteorological Information .............................................................................. 23 1.7.1 General................................................................................................................. 23 1.7.2 Graphic Area Forecasts...................................................................................... 23 1.7.3 Aerodrome Forecasts ......................................................................................... 23 1.7.3.1 Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) ........................... 23 1.7.3.2 Niagara Falls International Airport, New York (KIAG) ............................... 24 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.7.3.3 Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (CYOW) ....................... 25 1.7.4 Aviation Routine Weather Reports.................................................................. 25 1.7.4.1 Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) ........................... 25 1.7.4.2 Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (CYOW) ....................... 26 1.7.4.3 Niagara Falls International Airport, New York (KIAG) ............................... 27 1.7.5 Significant Meteorological Information .......................................................... 27 1.7.6 Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) Wind Information.......................................................................................................... 28 1.7.7 Recorded Rainfall Rates..................................................................................... 29 1.7.8 Thunderstorms.................................................................................................... 29 1.7.9 Lightning ............................................................................................................. 29 1.7.10 Red Alerts ............................................................................................................ 30 1.7.11 Weather Conditions on the Ground ................................................................ 30 1.8 Aids to Navigation ............................................................................................. 31 1.8.1 Air Traffic Control Radar .................................................................................. 31 1.8.2 Runway 24L Instrument Approach ................................................................. 32 1.9 Communications................................................................................................. 33 1.9.1 General................................................................................................................. 33 1.9.2 External Communication .................................................................................. 33 1.9.3 Internal Communication