Toronto Airport incident: hard landing Air France 358 (August 2, 2005)

Author's blog Navitraicon

Introduction

Aviation is a symbol of accuracy, technological and discipline. Each flight is the result of the work of many professionals, thoughtful solutions and strict standards. However, even in a world where everything is subordinated to control, nature can remind of its unpredictability. This is what happened on August 2, 2005, when an international flight Air France 358 When landing in Toronto, he ended up at the epicenter of a thunderstorm storm.

This case has become one of the most discussed aviation incidents of the early 21st century. There are not many examples in the history of civil aviation when a large airliner completely burns after landing, and no one dies. The fact that all passengers and crew members survived the catastrophe into the history of courage, professionalism and operational coherence.

On the blog Navitraicon We are returning to the events of that day to recall how the flight developed, what caused the accident, how the crew and rescuers acted, and what lessons were learned by the aviation community based on the results of this incident.

The main part

Flight Air France 358: route and flight conditions

Air France 358 is a regular flight along the Paris route (Charles de Gaulle airport) - Toronto (Lester B. Pieron Airport). The Airbus A340-313E aircraft, on board of which there were 297 passengers and 12 crew members, flew out of France with a slight delay.

The flight passed calmly until the approach to the airport. However, weather conditions in the Toronto area deteriorated sharply. Over the city and the air harbor burst out Storm with strong showers, impulsive wind and thunderstorm activity . The visibility on the runway has decreased significantly.

Despite the unfavorable situation, the AF358 flight received a landing permit. The aircraft commander decided not to leave for the reserve airfield, counting on the standard completion of the flight.

The moment of landing and development of the accident

During the final sunset for landing at Toronto Airport, the crew encountered many problems at the same time: side wind, wet strip coating, overload of the runway, and limited visibility. All these factors together led to the rigid landing of the aircraft far beyond the touch point , closer to the end of the strip.

After touching the chassis, the aircraft continued to slide on the wet coating, and attempts to braking were insufficient. Airbus a340 literally did not have time to stop and flew out of the strip , crossing the grass zone, destroyed the fence and collapsed into the ravine.

As a result of the blow, the aircraft body received serious damage. It has begun Fire in the tail , spread to the central fuselage. Flame and smoke quickly swept the salon.

Evacuation of passengers and crew actions

In conditions of fire, panic and limited visibility, the crew showed the highest degree of coherence and professionalism. They were instantly activated Emergency procedures evacuation. All 309 people on board were taken out of a burning aircraft in less than two minutes.

The crew members sent passengers to the nearest emergency exits, maintained order and helped those who experienced difficulties. Many passengers later recalled that it was the determination and calm of the flight attendants that saved their lives.

Rescue services of the airport arrived at the place in a matter of minutes. They began to extinguish the fire, provided medical assistance and organized the transportation of passengers to safe areas. Despite the intensive flame, Everyone was saved , and the victims received help.

The reasons and results of the investigation

The National Security Council on Canada transport (TSB) conducted a large -scale investigation, the purpose of which was to establish the causes of the incident and develop recommendations to prevent such cases in the future.

The key conclusions of the commission included:

• Insufficient length of the landing strip for conditions of strong rain and slippery coating;
• Later touch a plane with a strip, because of which the braking distance was insufficient;
• Lack of timely decision to care for the second circle;
• The non -optimal use of traction reversal and brakes in difficult weather conditions.

As a result of the investigation, recommendations were issued to improve coordination between crews and dispatchers under extreme weather conditions, modernization of bands at large airports, as well as increase the requirements for the departure of the spare airfield in cases of weather deterioration.

Impact on aviation and security system

The events of August 2, 2005 caused a serious resonance in the international aviation community. Despite the fact that formally the incident did not lead to the death of people, he became important the reason for rethinking security strategies during landing In the conditions of bad weather.

Many airports in Canada, the USA and Europe after this incident enhanced control over wet stripes, introduced improved water drain and protection systems. Also, crew training on actions in conditions of visibility and complex landing restrictions were also strengthened.

For Air France, the incident has become the reason for internal changes in the preparation of pilots and flight attendants, as well as for improving internal decision -making procedures in unstable weather.

Conclusion

The strict landing of the Air France 358 flight at Toronto Airport in 2005 remained in the history of aviation as a tragic but inspiring episode. Despite the full burning fuselage, despite the risk of the death of hundreds of people, the result was unique - Everyone remained alive .

This case became an example of how thousands of small solutions are triggered in extreme situations: from the preparation of the crew to the work of rescuers, from the strength of the design of the aircraft to the reaction of passengers. This is a reminder that aviation is not only a technique, but also People on which everything depends.

Blog Navitraicon It continues to talk about the most significant episodes in the history of air transportation, not for the sake of sensation, but for the sake of understanding. Understanding how security develops, how the rules are formed, and how even at the most difficult moments human determination can save hundreds of lives.