Air Canada 737 MAX Veers Off Runway at Montreal Airport

Air Canada Flight AC774 Runway Excursion

Air Canada flight AC774, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 arriving from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), sustained a runway excursion upon landing at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) on July 9, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m. EDT, when the aircraft veered off the active runway and slid into the adjacent grass area. The event has prompted an immediate response from aviation authorities to determine the factors leading to the departure from the paved surface.

All 162 occupants—comprising 156 passengers and 6 crew members—were reported to be unharmed. Following the excursion, the airline initiated standard emergency protocols, and all passengers were safely deplaned via buses and transported to the terminal. While the aircraft remained upright, the incident forced a temporary closure of the North Runway, triggering significant operational disruptions, including ground stops and delays for other traffic at YUL.

TSB Investigation and Regulatory Oversight

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators to the site. Under Canadian aviation regulations, the TSB holds the mandate to investigate runway excursions to identify systemic safety deficiencies, operational errors, or mechanical failures, without assigning fault. A TSB spokesperson stated, "We have deployed investigators to the scene to gather information and assess the accident."

Runway excursions remain one of the most frequent categories of commercial aviation accidents globally. These events are often scrutinized for contributing factors such as unstabilized approaches, runway contamination, and delayed deployment of deceleration devices. The TSB investigation will likely focus on flight data recorder information and cockpit voice recorder data to reconstruct the final moments of the approach and landing phase.

Historical Context and Precedents

Runway excursions at Montreal-Trudeau have historical precedents that inform current safety protocols. In 2015, a WestJet Boeing 737-600 overran the runway at YUL during heavy rain. The TSB investigation into that event found that delayed use of deceleration devices contributed to the incident, prompting renewed safety reminders for flight crews. Furthermore, the 2005 Air France Flight 358 incident at Toronto Pearson remains a landmark case; that event led to sweeping TSB recommendations regarding runway end safety areas and landing protocols in convective weather.

Technical Analysis

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is a critical component of the Air Canada narrowbody fleet. The aircraft utilizes CFM LEAP-1B engines and is designed for a typical 2-class seating capacity of 162 to 178 passengers. While the investigation into the specific cause of the AC774 excursion is in its early stages, analysts note that the industry is currently focused on the interplay between automated landing systems and pilot intervention during adverse weather. The data suggests that as fleet utilization increases, the focus on runway surface conditions and deceleration performance remains a primary structural force in maintaining safety margins.

What Comes Next

The TSB is expected to issue a preliminary investigation report by late 2026. Simultaneously, Air Canada and Transport Canada will coordinate to determine the timeline for the aircraft's return to service or potential repair. The affected Boeing 737 MAX 8 will be removed from the active rotation for a full hangar inspection to assess structural integrity and potential damage sustained during the excursion.

Why This Matters for Airport Operations

For Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (ADM), the incident highlights the operational sensitivity of runway infrastructure. The temporary closure of the North Runway caused immediate ground stops, impacting network-wide connectivity for the carrier. The event serves as a reminder of the rigorous safety standards required for high-volume international hubs, and the TSB’s findings will be closely monitored by operators globally to determine if new operational guidance is required for the 737 MAX fleet during landing operations.