Runway excursion
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Boeing 737-700
Paradise, Nevada, USA
The occurrence
On 16 February 2023, a WestJet Airlines Ltd. Boeing 737-700 was operating a flight from Harry Reid International Airport (KLAS), Paradise, Nevada, USA to Edmonton International Airport (CYEG), Alberta, with 5 crew and 109 passengers on board. During take off, the aircraft’s right nose wheel tire contacted 8 runway edge lights. The flight crew was unaware that there was a runway misalignmen t and continued to Edmonton International Airport where they landed without issue. Seven days after the occurrence, the Harry Reid International Airport Authority notified WestJet of the damage to the runway edge lights and in turn, WestJet notified the TSB.
None of the passengers or crew members were injured. The aircraft’s No. 2 nose tire sustained minor damage. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board delegated the investigation to the TSB in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13.
Investigation information
A23F0062
Runway excursion
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Boeing 737-700
Paradise, Nevada, USA
Investigator-in-charge
Senior Investigator Beverley Harvey works in the International Operations and Major Investigations division of the Air Investigations Branch. Ms. Harvey, who started her career as a pilot in New Zealand, has over 40 years’ civil aviation experience. She was a flight instructor at the Rockcliffe Flying Club in Ottawa before flying single-engine aircraft for Earlton Airways and Wanapitei Airways in Ontario. She subsequently flew the Cessna 402 and Beechcraft 99 aircraft for Austin Airways. At Air Ontario Ms. Harvey flew the de Havilland DHC-8 100 and 300 series aircraft.
Ms. Harvey joined Transport Canada in 2000 and worked as an inspector before joining the TSB in 2008. She is a certified aircraft accident investigator, and completed her training at the University of Southern California. She holds a valid Airline Transport Pilot Licence.
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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.