News release

TSB releases 2023 annual transportation occurrence statistics

Gatineau, Quebec, 13 June 2024 — Building on the preliminary statistics published in February 2024, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released today its final annual statistical summaries from 2023 on transportation occurrences in the air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation sectors.

Air transportation

In 2023, a total of 1020 air transportation occurrences (accidents and incidents) were reported to the TSB, an increase of 14% over the previous year (894).

Of these occurrences, a total of 182 were accidents, a 10% increase from 2022 (166). Nineteen of these were fatal, resulting in 33 fatalities, which is down slightly from the 24 fatal accidents and 34 fatalities in 2022. Overall, the number of air transportation accidents has been decreasing in the last decade.

Accidents involving commercial operators increased 38% from 2022 (56) to 2023 (77), while those involving private operations decreased from 108 to 103.

Of the total occurrences, 838 were aviation incidents, which is an increase from the previous year (728).

Marine transportation

In 2023, a total of 1027 marine transportation occurrences (accidents and incidents) were reported to the TSB, a decrease of 15% from the previous year (1212).

Of these occurrences, a total of 235 were accidents, nine of which were fatal and resulted in 18 fatalities, more than double the 2022 total of seven.

As in previous years, a high proportion of the fatalities (11 of the 18) was related to commercial fishing. These fatalities underline why commercial fishing safety remains on the TSB Watchlist.

Additionally, 792 marine incidents were reported, which represents an 18% decrease from 2022.

Pipeline transportation

In 2023, a total of 68 pipeline occurrences were reported to the TSB, all of which were incidents. No pipeline accidents were reported in 2023, compared to one in 2022 and an average of 1 per year from 2018 to 2022.

Of the 68 incidents in 2023, 17 involved a release of product, which is the smallest number of occurrences with product release in the past 11 years.

As in previous years, there were no serious injuries or fatalities arising directly from the operation of a federally regulated pipeline.

Rail transportation

In 2023, a total of 1235 rail occurrences (accidents and incidents) were reported to the TSB, a decrease of 11% from the previous year (1382).

Of these occurrences, a total of 914 were rail accidents, which resulted in 67 fatalities, two more than the previous year. Trespassing accidents remain the primary cause of fatalities accounting for 79% of all rail fatalities, followed by crossing accidents.

Eighty-seven of these accidents involved dangerous goods, a decrease from the 2022 total of 110, and six of these resulted in a product release.

There were 27 accidents and 10 incidents that involved an unplanned/uncontrolled movement of rail equipment, for a total of 37 occurrences (3 of which involved vandalism). This is down from the 2022 total of 51 (two of which involved vandalism).

Additionally, 321 railway incidents were reported, representing a 14% decrease from 2022 (374).