Transport Canada's response to Aviation Safety Recommendations A15-01 and A15-02 issued by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)

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Summary

On 22 December 2012, the Perimeter Aviation LP, Fairchild SA227-AC Metro III (registration C-GFWX, serial number AC650B), operating as Perimeter flight PAG993, departed Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Manitoba, at 1939 Coordinated Universal Time (1339 Central Standard Time) as a charter flight to Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. Following an attempted visual approach to Runway 09, a non-precision non-directional beacon (NDB) Runway 27 approach was conducted. Visual contact with the runway environment was made and a circling for Runway 09 initiated. Visual contact with the Runway 09 environment was lost and a return to the Sanikiluaq NDB was executed. A second NDB Runway 27 approach was conducted with the intent to land on Runway 27. Visual contact with the runway environment was made after passing the missed approach point. Following a steep descent, a rejected landing was initiated at 20 to 50 feet above the runway; the aircraft struck the ground approximately 525 feet beyond the departure end of Runway 27. The 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter activated on impact. The 2 flight crew and 1 passenger sustained serious injuries, 5 passengers sustained minor injuries, and 1 infant was fatally injured. Occupants exited the aircraft via the forward right overwing exit and were immediately transported to the local health centre. The aircraft was destroyed. The occurrence took place during the hours of darkness at 2306 Coordinated Universal Time (1806 Eastern Standard Time).

A15-01

"The Department of Transport require commercial air carriers to collect and report, on a routine basis, the number of infants (including lap-held) and young children (ages 2 to 12 years) travelling."

Transport Canada Response to Recommendation A15-01:

The Department of Transport agrees that having more accurate information on the number of infants and young children travelling by air would enable the conduct of risk and cost-benefit analyses to support regulatory decision making. TC is working to determine what options exist for collecting the information, including stakeholder consultation to be completed by March 2016, which from their point of view is the best way to gather and report information.

A15-02

"The Department of Transport work with industry to develop age and size appropriate child restraint systems for infants and young children travelling on commercial aircraft and mandate their use to provide an equivalent level of safety compared to adults."

Transport Canada Response to Recommendation A15-02:

The Department of Transport will take action to reduce the risk to which infants and young children are exposed when travelling by air, whether it is on flights in Canada's remote north, from city to city domestically, or on international carriers flying into Canada.

In the short term, the department will explore ways to increase the range of child restraint systems (CR5) that parents can use on Canadian air carriers. The intent is to allow not only the currently approved CRS but also those approved by foreign authorities to be accepted for use on Canadian aircraft.

In the medium term, the department is planning an awareness campaign focused on the risks to which children are exposed to while travelling on commercial aircraft. The campaign will be launched in the Fall 2015 and will be aimed at the industry, to ensure ground agents and crew members are well informed on permissible mitigation measures, as well as the travelling public.

During fiscal year 2016/17, the department will initiate an in-depth regulatory examination of the issue. The department would issue a notice that would articulate its intent to determine the most effective means of addressing the recommendation and would then outline its plan and consult industry stakeholders.

Transport Canada will continue to participate in and support international efforts to improve passenger safety, particularly through the ICAO passenger Safety Working Group and follow-on activities with a view to harmonization with international partners.