NTSB says runway safety system did not activate before fatal Air Canada Express collision

Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 2:12 PM

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Reuters) – The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday a key runway safety system failed to activate before a March 22 fatal collision between an Air Canada Express jet and a fire truck that killed two pilots.

The NTSB also said in its preliminary report that red runway entrance lights that indicate when it not safe to cross a runway were on until about three seconds before the time of the collision. The NTSB said the system is designed to turn the lights off about 2 to 3 seconds before the airplane reaches each intersection.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)


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