TSB calls for egress training and shoulder harnesses

[CD]

TSB calls for egress training and shoulder harnesses to improve survivability in floatplane accidents

Richmond Hill, Ontario, 23 October 2013 – Highlighting the fact that egress training and shoulder harnesses would have improved the chances for survival in a fatal floatplane accident at Lillabelle Lake, Ontario, in 2012, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its investigation report (A12O0071) into the accident.

On 25 May 2012, a de Havilland Beaver floatplane, operated by Cochrane Air Service, crashed following an aborted landing on Lillabelle Lake in northern Ontario. When gusty conditions prevented the plane from settling on the water, the pilot initiated a “go-around.” But as the pilot applied full power and began to climb, the airspeed dropped suddenly. The aircraft yawed to the left and rolled. This likely led to an aerodynamic stall and, with insufficient altitude to re-gain control, the aircraft flipped over, struck the water and was partially submerged. All three people onboard survived the initial impact, but only one person was able to successfully escape; the other two drowned.

The TSB is making two recommendations aimed at improving the odds that anyone who survives a floatplane crash will get out alive. “In an emergency, you only have seconds to orient yourself and escape and the right training can make the difference between life and death. Pilots with underwater egress training stand a better chance of helping themselves and their passengers survive,” said TSB Chair Wendy Tadros. “Another thing that will help immeasurably is shoulder harnesses. Too many passengers survive a floatplane crash only to drown because they have suffered some kind of head trauma and can’t get out of the aircraft.”

The TSB recommendations call for underwater egress training for all flight crews engaged in commercial seaplane operations (A13-02), and for all commercial seaplanes certificated for nine or fewer passengers to be fitted with seat belts that include shoulder harnesses on all passenger seats (A13-03).

These new recommendations build on to two outstanding TSB recommendations aimed at making floatplanes safer. In its investigation into the fatal 2009 floatplane crash that killed six passengers in Lyall Harbour, British Columbia (A09P0397), the Board made two recommendations: one calling for pop-out windows and doors to better facilitate egress (A11-05), and another calling for personal flotation devices for all passengers (A11-06).

Transport Canada has committed to making flotation devices mandatory, but has not committed to requiring floatplane doors and windows to come off easily after a crash. “When a floatplane crashes on water, approximately 70% of crash victims die from drowning. All four Board recommendations are aimed at changing that reality,” said Tadros. “Transport Canada needs to treat all four recommendations with the seriousness they deserve, and take every measure to prevent more from dying in otherwise survivable accidents.”

[Rookie50]

These are both sensible recommendations. I actually have 4 point belts in the front of my landplane, 3 point in the back, and am quite happy they are there.

[frozen solid]

On CBC news today the little by-line scrolling across the bottom of the screen had a one-sentence statement along the lines of "TC Green-lights mandatory shoulder belts and egress training for seaplanes"

I watched the news for a while to see if there would be more but there wasn't. Still, it looks like this is going to happen. I am in favour of it. I actually enjoyed the egress training and am in favour of all seaplane pilots taking it. Anyway, a day at the pool is pretty fun no matter what you're doing. I can't see why anyone would object!

[Liquid Charlie]

The only thing I would like to see is that they make the rule to have "proper" belts -- meaning 5 point -- 4 point is a joke because you end up with the lap portion drawn up to your armpits and 3 point should be just plain outlawed because of the twisting motion --

Will this mean egress will be part of the initial float rating and will it be a one time thing -- maybe it's a good thing but it could turn into a shit show -- you can't qualify for a float rating until you pass your egress training -- mmmm -- tell that to the guy who has never been in the water over his head can't swim and certainly never upside down -- the tought of egress training might be a wonderful thing but will it be intensive enough and long enough to offset the panic and of course the other issue -- what about the passengers -- will they need it as well before they can ride in a float plane --

Both recommendations will have their opponents and likely like every other regulation passed in Canada you will need your lawyer to figure it out or better still there will be an ops spec to give an exemption --

[golden hawk]

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Transp ... story.html

Transport Canada under renewed fire over B.C. float-plane crash safety issues


By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun October 23, 2013




Transport Canada under renewed fire over B.C. float-plane crash safety issues

A Seair de Havilland float plane is lifted from its watery grave in Lyall Harbour off Saturna Island after it crashed on Nov. 29, 2009. Six passengers died. The pilot and another passenger survived. The BC Coroners Service is recommending that Transport Canada require all passengers and crew of commercial seaplanes to wear personal flotation devices during all stages of flight.
Photograph by: Handout , Federal Transportation Safety Board

A federal transportation safety board report Wednesday into a fatal float plane crash in Ontario is putting renewed pressure on Transport Canada to address long-standing safety issues raised in B.C. that could save lives.

A Cochrane Air Service de Havilland Beaver float plane stalled in flight, crashed and flipped over following an aborted landing on May 25, 2012 at Lillabelle Lake, north of Timmins.

All three people aboard survived the initial crash, but only one escaped the partly submerged aircraft; the other two drowned.

The TSB urges Transport Canada to require underwater egress training for all flight crews engaged in commercial float plane operations and that all commercial float planes certified for nine or fewer passengers be fully fitted with seat belts that include shoulder harnesses.

The board said the recommendations "build on" earlier TSB recommendations from B.C. after the Nov. 29, 2009 crash of a Richmond-based Seair Beaver float plane in Lyall Harbour, off Saturna Island, that killed six passengers, including a doctor and her infant daughter. The pilot and one other passenger survived with serious injuries despite the risk of drowning outside the aircraft.

Float planes are especially common in B.C., with about 33,000 movements annually carrying 300,000 passengers in Vancouver harbour alone.

A TSB report in March 2011 into the Seair crash recommended that passengers on all commercial float planes in Canada be required to wear life vests, while the planes themselves should be fitted with easily opened emergency exits. By wearing life vests during flight, passengers and even pilots do not have to scramble for them under their seats in the ensuing panic that follows a crash in water.

In a phone interview, TSB chair Wendy Tadros said Transport Canada has said it is committed to regulatory aviation amendments related to mandatory use of life vests during flights and to mandatory egress training for pilots.

Further details are to be published in the Canada Gazette in 2014.

But federal movement to mandate shoulder harnesses for passengers on older float planes such as the Beaver — widely used in B.C. — and improvements related to float plane doors and windows is proving more difficult.

"If we put those four improvements in place you'll be increasing the probability of people surviving a crash," she said.

During the last 20 years, about 70 per cent of float plane crash victims died from drowning.

Transport Minister Lisa Raitt declined The Vancouver Sun's request for an interview.

Her department said in a statement issued by spokeswoman Karine Martel that Ottawa is "committed to investigating safety improvement, such as the operation of emergency exits and push out windows."

She noted the department "assesses each application to install push out windows on a case-by-case basis because the design approved on one aircraft may not provide the same level of safety on another model. For each case, the department must confirm that the installation does not compromise the overall safety of the aircraft."

The department will also "engage the aviation community" on the issue of seatbelt shoulder harnesses on older aircraft, noting that where they exist in an aircraft, they are required to be worn, Martel said.

In B.C., several float plane companies have adopted the TSB's safety recommendations on a voluntarily basis, including requiring passengers to wear life vests in flight.

Harbour Air, B.C.'s largest float plane company, notably does not. The company also owns Westcoast Air and Whistler Air.

Tadros said the B.C. situation shows that "voluntary compliance doesn't work and that you need a level playing field, the same rules for all in the float plane industry so everyone is clear on what's required."

Harbour Air spokesman Michael Lowry said in a statement the company's flight crew and senior staff undergo underwater egress training and that passengers have access to instructional videos and pamphlets before takeoff.

"We work closely with Transport Canada and carefully consider all TSB recommendations," he said, without explaining why the company doesn't require life vests to be worn during flights.

In B.C., the industry formed the Floatplane Operators Association after a total of 22 people died in four commercial float plane crashes — two on water and two on land — between August 2008 and May 2010.

The Sun has been unable to reach association president St. Clair McColl, of Saltspring Air, for comment over the past two days.

He states in a posting on the association website: "The public also needs to know about our improvements and we feel, that by making strides through the media we are conveying a message that is both positive and informative."

Lowry said the association has engaged a manufacturer to develop one or more life vests that meet the needs of all float plane operators.

Transport Canada is also under fire from the safety board for refusing to address the problem of post-crash fires, including simple switches that would kill the electrical system in a crash and prevent leaking fuel from creating a deadly blaze.

Tadros said her office is interested in not just preventing crashes but reducing the risk of death when accidents do occur.

lpynn@vancouversun.com

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

[PAXUNK]

The seating configuration used in Beavers on the West coast consists of a middle bench for three pax, and a rear seat for two pax.
It is impossible to escape from the rear seat until the middle seat pax exit the aircraft. If the middle seat pax are unconscious or unable to exit the aircraft, the rear seat pax will be trapped. There is no space for them to exit via the door or via the pushout window.
I fail to see how how any of the TSB recommendations will help the unfortunate rear seat pax.

[Colonel Sanders]

Another thing that will help immeasurably is shoulder harnesses

Gee, I hope he didn't spend a post-graduate
degree figuring that out

But what if there is no paper to install shoulder
harnesses? TC is going to fine your @ss off
for unauthorized modifications.

[frozen solid]

Waddya mean "spend" a post-graduate degree? Sounds like perfect thesis-fodder if I ever saw any. Practically handed to him. We should all be so lucky.

[Rowdy]

And yet again, lisa raitt is as useful as the lint in my bellybutton. Of course she declined an interview. Actual safety concerns? ignore them. Unions fighting to keep industry standards? Screw them over and shove a contract down their throats, after calling the airline an 'essential service'. Whats next from the overpaid, underproducing minister or useless?

So for going a bit off topic.. but that human being needs to be ousted from office.