The TSB has 22 active recommendations that, if addressed, could mitigate the persistent safety deficiencies associated with air-taxi operations including the two main underlying factors contributing to accidents in this sector:
- acceptance of unsafe practices (3 active recommendations)
- inadequate management of operational hazards (19 active recommendations)
Acceptance of unsafe practices
| Number | The Transportation Safety Board of Canada recommends that… | Investigation report | Rating (at September 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A16-12 | the Department of Transport require all commercial aviation operators in Canada to implement a formal safety management system. | A13H0001 | Unable to assess |
| A16-13 | the Department of Transport conduct regular SMS assessments to evaluate the capability of operators to effectively manage safety. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory in part |
| A16-14 | the Department of Transport enhance its oversight policies, procedures and training to ensure the frequency and focus of surveillance, as well as post-surveillance oversight activities, including enforcement, are commensurate with the capability of the operator to effectively manage risk. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory in part |
Inadequate management of operational hazards
| Number | The Transportation Safety Board of Canada recommends that… | Investigation report | Rating (at September 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A90-84 | the Department of Transport require all commercially-operated helicopters to be equipped with appropriate instrumentation for the conduct of basic instrument flying. | 90-SP002 | Unsatisfactory |
| A13-03 | the Department of Transport require that all seaplanes in commercial service certificated for 9 or fewer passengers be fitted with seatbelts that include shoulder harnesses on all passenger seats. | A12O0071 | Unsatisfactory |
| A15-01 | the Department of Transport require commercial air carriers to collect and report, on a routine basis, the number of infants (under 2 years old), including lap-held, and young children (2 to 12 years old) travelling. | A12Q0216 | Satisfactory intent |
| 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. | A12Q0216 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-01 | the Department of Transport require all Canadian-registered aircraft and foreign aircraft operating in Canada that require installation of an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to be equipped with a 406 MHz ELT in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization Standards. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-02 | the International Civil Aviation Organization establish rigorous emergency locator transmitter (ELT) system crash survivability standards that reduce the likelihood that an ELT system will be rendered inoperative as a result of impact forces sustained during an aviation occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-03 | the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics establish rigorous emergency locator transmitter (ELT) system crash survivability specifications that reduce the likelihood that an ELT system will be rendered inoperative as a result of impact forces sustained during an aviation occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-04 | the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment establish rigorous emergency locator transmitter (ELT) system crash survivability specifications that reduce the likelihood that an ELT system will be rendered inoperative as a result of impact forces sustained during an aviation occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-05 | the Department of Transport establish rigorous emergency locator transmitter (ELT) system crash survivability requirements that reduce the likelihood that an ELT system will be rendered inoperative as a result of impact forces sustained during an aviation occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-06 | Cospas-Sarsat amend the 406-megahertz emergency locator transmitter first-burst delay specifications to the lowest possible time frame to increase the likelihood that a distress signal will be transmitted and received by search-and-rescue agencies following an occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-07 | the Department of Transport prohibit the use of hook-and-loop fasteners as a means of securing an emergency locator transmitter to an airframe. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-08 | the Department of Transport amend the regulations to clearly define the visual references (including lighting considerations and/or alternate means) required to reduce the risks associated with night visual flight rules flight. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-09 | the Department of Transport establish instrument currency requirements that ensure instrument flying proficiency is maintained by instrument-rated pilots, who may operate in conditions requiring instrument proficiency. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-10 | the Department of Transport require terrain awareness and warning systems for commercial helicopters that operate at night or in instrument meteorological conditions. | A13H0001 | Unable to assess |
| A17-01 | the Department of Transport require all commercially operated DHC‑2 aircraft in Canada to be equipped with a stall warning system. | A15Q0120 | Unable to assess |
| A17-02 | the Department of Transport, in collaboration with the Canadian aviation industry and employee representatives, develop and implement requirements for a comprehensive substance abuse program, including drug and alcohol testing, to reduce the risk of impairment of persons while engaged in safety‑sensitive functions. These requirements should consider and balance the need to incorporate human rights principles in the Canadian Human Rights Act with the responsibility to protect public safety. | A15P0081 | Satisfactory in part |
| A18-01 | the Department of Transport require the mandatory installation of lightweight flight recording systems by commercial operators and private operators not currently required to carry these systems. | A16P0186 | Satisfactory in part |
| A18-02 | the Department of Transport collaborate with air operators and airport authorities to identify locations where there is inadequate de-icing and anti-icing equipment and take urgent action to ensure that the proper equipment is available to reduce the likelihood of aircraft taking off with contaminated critical surfaces. | A17C0146 | Satisfactory intent |
| A18-03 | the Department of Transport and air operators take action to increase compliance with Canadian Aviation Regulations subsection 602.11(2) and reduce the likelihood of aircraft taking off with contaminated critical surfaces. | A17C0146 | Satisfactory intent |
The TSB has 22 active recommendations that, if addressed, could mitigate the persistent safety deficiencies associated with air-taxi operations including the two main underlying factors contributing to accidents in this sector:
- acceptance of unsafe practices (3 active recommendations)
- inadequate management of operational hazards (19 active recommendations)
Acceptance of unsafe practices
| Number | The Transportation Safety Board of Canada recommends that… | Investigation report | Rating (at September 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A16-12 | the Department of Transport require all commercial aviation operators in Canada to implement a formal safety management system. | A13H0001 | Unable to assess |
| A16-13 | the Department of Transport conduct regular SMS assessments to evaluate the capability of operators to effectively manage safety. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory in part |
| A16-14 | the Department of Transport enhance its oversight policies, procedures and training to ensure the frequency and focus of surveillance, as well as post-surveillance oversight activities, including enforcement, are commensurate with the capability of the operator to effectively manage risk. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory in part |
Inadequate management of operational hazards
| Number | The Transportation Safety Board of Canada recommends that… | Investigation report | Rating (at September 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A90-84 | the Department of Transport require all commercially-operated helicopters to be equipped with appropriate instrumentation for the conduct of basic instrument flying. | 90-SP002 | Unsatisfactory |
| A13-03 | the Department of Transport require that all seaplanes in commercial service certificated for 9 or fewer passengers be fitted with seatbelts that include shoulder harnesses on all passenger seats. | A12O0071 | Unsatisfactory |
| A15-01 | the Department of Transport require commercial air carriers to collect and report, on a routine basis, the number of infants (under 2 years old), including lap-held, and young children (2 to 12 years old) travelling. | A12Q0216 | Satisfactory intent |
| 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. | A12Q0216 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-01 | the Department of Transport require all Canadian-registered aircraft and foreign aircraft operating in Canada that require installation of an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to be equipped with a 406 MHz ELT in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization Standards. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-02 | the International Civil Aviation Organization establish rigorous emergency locator transmitter (ELT) system crash survivability standards that reduce the likelihood that an ELT system will be rendered inoperative as a result of impact forces sustained during an aviation occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-03 | the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics establish rigorous emergency locator transmitter (ELT) system crash survivability specifications that reduce the likelihood that an ELT system will be rendered inoperative as a result of impact forces sustained during an aviation occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-04 | the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment establish rigorous emergency locator transmitter (ELT) system crash survivability specifications that reduce the likelihood that an ELT system will be rendered inoperative as a result of impact forces sustained during an aviation occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-05 | the Department of Transport establish rigorous emergency locator transmitter (ELT) system crash survivability requirements that reduce the likelihood that an ELT system will be rendered inoperative as a result of impact forces sustained during an aviation occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-06 | Cospas-Sarsat amend the 406-megahertz emergency locator transmitter first-burst delay specifications to the lowest possible time frame to increase the likelihood that a distress signal will be transmitted and received by search-and-rescue agencies following an occurrence. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-07 | the Department of Transport prohibit the use of hook-and-loop fasteners as a means of securing an emergency locator transmitter to an airframe. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-08 | the Department of Transport amend the regulations to clearly define the visual references (including lighting considerations and/or alternate means) required to reduce the risks associated with night visual flight rules flight. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-09 | the Department of Transport establish instrument currency requirements that ensure instrument flying proficiency is maintained by instrument-rated pilots, who may operate in conditions requiring instrument proficiency. | A13H0001 | Satisfactory intent |
| A16-10 | the Department of Transport require terrain awareness and warning systems for commercial helicopters that operate at night or in instrument meteorological conditions. | A13H0001 | Unable to assess |
| A17-01 | the Department of Transport require all commercially operated DHC‑2 aircraft in Canada to be equipped with a stall warning system. | A15Q0120 | Unable to assess |
| A17-02 | the Department of Transport, in collaboration with the Canadian aviation industry and employee representatives, develop and implement requirements for a comprehensive substance abuse program, including drug and alcohol testing, to reduce the risk of impairment of persons while engaged in safety‑sensitive functions. These requirements should consider and balance the need to incorporate human rights principles in the Canadian Human Rights Act with the responsibility to protect public safety. | A15P0081 | Satisfactory in part |
| A18-01 | the Department of Transport require the mandatory installation of lightweight flight recording systems by commercial operators and private operators not currently required to carry these systems. | A16P0186 | Satisfactory in part |
| A18-02 | the Department of Transport collaborate with air operators and airport authorities to identify locations where there is inadequate de-icing and anti-icing equipment and take urgent action to ensure that the proper equipment is available to reduce the likelihood of aircraft taking off with contaminated critical surfaces. | A17C0146 | Satisfactory intent |
| A18-03 | the Department of Transport and air operators take action to increase compliance with Canadian Aviation Regulations subsection 602.11(2) and reduce the likelihood of aircraft taking off with contaminated critical surfaces. | A17C0146 | Satisfactory intent |