News
TSB Identifies Deficiencies with Aircraft Landing in Deteriorating Weather Conditions

Dec. 14, 2007, Gatineau, Que. – The Transportation Safety
Board of Canada (TSB) has released its final report (A05H0002) into
the runway overrun of an Air France Airbus A340 at Toronto/Lester B.
Pearson International Airport, Ontario, on August 2, 2005.

Since the Air France accident in Toronto, 10 large aircraft have
gone off runways around the world in bad weather. "This is an
unacceptable risk," said Wendy Tadros, Chair of the TSB. She went on to
add, "We believe more must be done to ensure aircraft will always touch
down safely so passengers don't get hurt. That is why the TSB is making
seven recommendations today."

The first five recommendations focus on crews and the need for
mandatory standards, training, and procedures. The TSB is also making
two recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of injury following an
accident.

On August 2, 2005, the Airbus A340-313 departed Paris, France, as
Flight 358, bound for Toronto. There were 297 passengers and 12 crew
members on board. The aircraft approached Toronto in a severe and
rapidly changing thunderstorm with shifting winds and limited
visibility. It came in too high and too fast. Touching down almost
halfway along the wet and slippery runway, it simply ran out of room.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline,
railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the
advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the
Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.