A breakdown in communication might be behind a near miss on the runway at Pearson Airport.

Late on Monday night came 2 warnings from air traffic control to a small Air Canada jet--do not land.

A Sunwing maintenance van had somehow rolled onto the runway. Its driver was reportedly working on a plane, unaware the van was on the move.

Despite warnings from the control tower, the Embraer 190 coming in from Edmonton went ahead with landing, nearly hitting the van on its way down.

It isn't clear how many people were aboard, but the plane seats about 100.

Once on the ground, the plane's crew said either they hadn't heard instructions from traffic control or didn't understand that the warnings were meant for them.

Airline analyst Robert Kokonis tells Ryan Doyle & John Downs on Newstalk 1010's Friendly Fire, he can see it happening. He says landing is a busy time, especially at an airport with as much movement as Pearson.

If the jet was landing normally, Kokonis says it may have come as close as 120ft to the van. He calls it "a safe clearance" but one "too close for comfort" & one he expects will be investigated.

The Transportation Safety Board has started to gather evidence on the case but hasn't decided if it will launch a full-blown investigation. A spokesperson says they only do that in cases where they believe they can advance transportation safety.