All 309 people aboard survived when an Air France A340 overran a runway at Toronto Pearson in 2005, underscoring the importance of trained cabin crew in emergencies.
Key Facts
- Date
- 2 August 2005
- Aircraft type
- Airbus A340-313E
- People on board
- 309
- Serious injuries
- 12
- Runway overrun distance
- ~300 metres
- TSB final report issued
- 13 December 2007
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Inclement weather created poor visibility at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The flight crew made poor landing decisions: the aircraft touched down nearly halfway along the airport's shortest runway, and thrust reversers were not at full power until 17 seconds after touchdown, leaving insufficient distance to stop.
On 2 August 2005, Air France Flight 358, arriving from Paris Charles de Gaulle, overran Runway 24L at Toronto Pearson International Airport and crashed into Etobicoke Creek approximately 300 metres beyond the runway end. The Airbus A340-313E was completely destroyed. All 309 passengers and crew evacuated and survived.
The accident prompted a Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation, with a final report issued in December 2007 citing weather and crew decisions as major factors. The event became widely known as the 'Miracle in Toronto' and drew attention to the effectiveness of emergency aviation procedures and the critical role of trained flight attendants.