WS flight incident master thread
 

http://avherald.com/h?article=416c7342

A Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-600, registration C-GEWJ performing flight WS-418 from Vancouver,BC to Edmonton,AB (Canada) with 53 people on board, was climbing through FL390 to FL410 about 110nm northeast of Vancouver and 20nm west of Kamloop about 20 minutes into the flight, when mountain wave activity carried the airplane up to FL424 - above the service ceiling of the airplane at FL410 - before the crew was able to stop the ascent. The crew requested to descend to FL390 and completed the journey without further incident.

http://avherald.com/h?article=41e84cb5

A Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration C-FWAQ performing flight WS-229 from Halifax,NS to Calgary,AB (Canada) with 108 people on board, was on final approach to Calgary's runway 16 with the first officer being pilot flying. While descending through 1000 feet the first officer kept autothrottles engaged but disconnected the autopilot to handfly the approach and kept his left hand on the throttles as per standard operating procedures. At about 150 feet AGL he felt the throttles retarding to idle, the speed fell below target speed of 133 KIAS. The announciators showed, that the autothrust system had engaged in the RETARD mode. The first officer disconnected the autothrust system and applied thrust to correct the low energy state und subsequently managed a safe landing.

The Canadian TSB reported on Aug 20th, that the flight data were downloaded and Boeing asked for assistance in the investigation. The data off the flight data recorder showed, that the #1 (left hand) radar altimeter showed a reading of -6 feet at about 147 feet AGL, the #2 (right hand) radar altimeter showed 88-136 feet at that time. The autothrottle system entered RETARD mode at 94 feet AGL with the thrust lever angles reducing at about 77 feet AGL.

The TSB continued, that the left radar altimeter is being used to determine the RETARD mode at or below 27 feet AGL. If the left hand radar altimeter is flagged faulty (red flag shown), the right hand radar altimeter is being used. No faults were shown for both radar altimeter system, hence the erroneous indication by the system was not recognized as a fault.

The #1 radar altimeter was removed from the aircraft and sent to the vendor for further analysis.

http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News...rc=n08239A.xml

Article about changes on the Transport Canada level about how safety in the aviation industry is managed and audited.

WestJet incident thread
 

Incident: Westjet B737 at Calgary on Sep 9th 2009, MFD failure and electrical smell

The crew of a Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration C-GWSE performing flight WS-540 from Calgary,AB to Ottawa,ON (Canada) with 117 people on board, observed the failure of the upper Multi Function Display just after the 80 knots call during the takeoff run and decided to continue the takeoff. After liftoff an electrical smell was observed throughout the airplane. The crew requested priority and returned to Calgary for a safe overweight landing.


Source: Aviation Herald

Incident: Westjet B737 at Calgary on Sep 12th 2009, damaged nose wheel tyre

A Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration C-FJWS performing flight WS-903 from Phoenix,AZ (USA) to Calgary,AB (Canada) with 76 people on board, had just landed on Calgary's runway 16 and was about to turn off the runway, when another Westjet crew reported a nose wheel tyre and rim had separated and fell onto the high speed turn off C1. The aircraft was able to taxi to the gate on the remaining nose wheel.

Source: The Aviation Herald

Incident: Westjet B737 near Sault Ste. Marie on Sep 4th 2009, flight crew member incapacitated

A Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration C-FWBX performing flight WS-4018 from Thunder Bay,ON to Toronto Pearson,ON (Canada) with 105 people on board, was enroute at FL410 near Sault Ste. Marie,ON (Canada) about 300nm northwest of Toronto when the remaining flight crew member reported his collegue incapacitated and requested emergency services to meet the aircraft upon arrival in Toronto. The airplane landed safely on Toronto's runway 05 50 minutes later and taxied to the gate, where emergency services were waiting.

An observer on the ground in Toronto reported, that the male flight crew member - the observer believes to be the first officer, but can not tell for sure - was brought out of the aircraft on a stretcher and was administered oxygen, but was alert.

Source: The Aviation Herald

Accident: Westjet B738 near Vancouver on Oct 4th 2009, turbulence injures flight attendant

A Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration C-GJWS performing flight WS-509 from Toronto Pearson,ON to Vancouver,BC (Canada) with 130 people on board, was enroute at FL380 just before the top of descent, when the airplane experienced unexpected turbulence. A flight attendant was thrown to the floor and struck a metal bar protruding from the back of the left hand jump seat and was unable to continue duty. The crew continued for a safe landing on Vancouver's runway 26R.

Source: The Aviation Herald

Huh? Metal bar on the back of the jump seat? I don't understand! I can't imagine what and where. And I'm an FA!

Incident: Westjet B737 enroute on Nov 15th 2009, unruly passenger

A Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration C-GRWS performing flight WS-515 from Calgary,AB to Comox,BC (Canada), was enroute, when a passenger acted belligerent prompting the captain to issue a warning about 25 minutes into the flight. The passenger however continued his behaviour prompting the captain to request Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to stand by for the arrival of the aircraft. The airplane landed safely about 35 minutes after the warning, the RCMP spoke with the passenger.

Westjet reported, that the passenger was already intoxicated before boarding, no alcohol had been served to the passenger on the flight.

Source: The Aviation Herald

Incident: Westjet B737 near Kelowna on Dec 3rd 2009, loss of separation

A Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration C-FXWJ performing flight WS-632 from Kelowna,BC to Toronto Pearson,ON (Canada) with 99 people on board, departed Kelowna's runway 16 and was given a right hand turn for separation from IFR traffic, but was not told about a conflicting VFR Cessna 172 climbing southbound west of the Kelowna Aerodrome. The Westjet crew responded to a resulting TCAS resolution advisory, levelled off at 7300 feet, maintained that altitude until clear of conflict and continued for a safe flight to and landing in Toronto.

The Canadian TSB reported, that the minimum separation was 0.7nm laterally and 200 feet vertically as result of an operating irregularity.

Source: The Aviation Herald

12/31/2009
1862 YVR-HNL blew tire or tire fell off...details to be announced.
Should be back in YVR about 15:30 after burning fuel.

Doing some circles over Vancouver Island.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/WJA1862

Apparently it only lost the tread from one of the rear tires. Details here. Pretty routine situation but emergency landing procedures must be followed anyway.

UPDATE: WestJet makes safe emergency landing at YVR. No injuries reported.

2009-12-31

Further Action Required: Yes

O.P.I.: Maintenance & Manufacturing

Narrative: An Air Canada aircraft operating Flight ACA 1188, IFR Vancouver to Honolulu, departing Rwy 08R reports significant rubber debris on runway. Previous 4 departures notified of possible tire damage through appropriate Area Control Centre/Control Tower (ACC/TWR) sector. Runway closed til 2000z. 5 departures delayed average 10 minutes. 3 arrivals diverted to Rwy 08L. Subsequent information from YVRAA identified the concerned aircraft as a Westjet Boeing 737-700 operating Flight WJA1862.OAKLAND Air Route Traffic Control Centre (ARTCC) advised WJA1862 had declared an emergency and was returning to Vancouver International. WJA1862 circled over Tofino to burn off fuel and landed RWY08R at 0006Z without further incident.

Anyone know why yesterday's Hawaii-YVR (arriving today) flight was delayed 6 hours? Seems a bit long even if accounting for a OAK diversion in the outbound flight.