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Transport Minister Receives Final Report on Air France Accident

Dec. 14, 2007, Ottawa, Ont.- The Honourable Lawrence Cannon has acknowledged receipt of the TSB's final report into the Air France accident at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Aug. 2, 2005.


December 14, 2007  By Carey Fredericks

Dec. 14, 2007, Ottawa, Ont.- The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister
of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, has acknowledged receipt of
the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada's final report into the Air
France accident at Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto on
August 2, 2005.
       
"My officials and I recognize the important work of the Transportation
Safety Board during the investigation," said Minister Cannon. "Transport
Canada fully supports the intent of the recommendations made today and
departmental officials are currently reviewing the contents of the report. Our
government's priority is to help ensure the safety and security of the
transportation system."

The final report contains recommendations for Transport Canada (TC) that
include:

        – Establishing clear standards limiting approaches and landings in
          convective weather, for all air transport operators at Canadian
          airports.

          TC response: On September 6, 2006, Transport Canada amended regulations
          to prohibit commercial air operators from beginning an approach when
          visibility is so poor that a successful approach to a landing is
          unlikely. The guiding principle is that when an aircraft is flying in
          conditions of poor visibility and approaching a runway to land, the
          crew must be able to see the runway environment in time to position the
          aircraft for a safe landing.

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          Pilots have access to information from many sources to help them make
          landing decisions. These include: access to the aircraft's flight
          instruments, which may include onboard weather radar and wind shear
          detection equipment; knowledge of the aircraft's capabilities;
          knowledge of weather conditions; contact with air traffic control or
          control towers; and information on flight conditions at location.

        – Requiring all Code 4 runways to have a 300m runway end safety area
          (RESA) or a means of stopping aircraft that provides an equivalent
          level of safety.

          TC response: With regard to RESA, Transport Canada, together with
          industry experts, conducted a review of all Canadian airport
          certification standards. During this review, various studies completed
          by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Federal
          Aviation Administration were considered. The result is a recommendation
          to amend the Canadian regulations and standards. Industry will be
          further consulted with respect to amendments, prior to finalizing
          changes to the regulations. This process is expected to begin early in
          2008 and will follow the normal regulatory process.

        – Requiring that passenger safety briefings include clear direction to
          leave all carry-on baggage behind during an evacuation.

          TC response: Transport Canada agrees with the TSB's recommendation to
          include clear direction to passengers, as part of the safety briefing,
          to leave behind all carry-on baggage during an evacuation and will
          propose an amendment to the Canadian Aviation Regulations to that
          effect. The proposed amendment will be subject to the regulatory
          consultation process. Information related to carry-on baggage currently
          forms part of the briefing to prepare passengers for an evacuation

Transport Canada officials are reviewing the full content of the report
and the remaining recommendations to determine what additional action is
required.

   

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