Buffalo safe, says Transport Canada
Federal department to review report critical of its inspection practices
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Transport Canada says it doesn't have any "immediate concerns" about the safety of Buffalo Airways despite a report about a 2013 crash landing that called into question the department's inspection practices.
The Buffalo Airways DC-3C that crash landed short of the runway in Yellowknife on Aug. 19, 2013. Transport Canada says it will review a report on the factors that led to the crash. - photo courtesy Transportation Safety Board of Canada
|
The federal department responsible for aviation oversight was criticized by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada in its report released last week on the factors that led to the Aug. 19, 2013 crash landing at the Yellowknife airport.
The report found the DC-3C bound for Hay River was overweight when it took off. The aircraft was too heavy to gain altitude after an engine failure and another mechanical issue. It ended up crash landing short of the runway. Neither the 21 passengers nor the three-person crew were injured.
The airline's safety management system was ineffective at identifying and fixing unsafe practices, the report found. It found Transport Canada did not identify the operator's unsafe operating practices, which allowed the issues to continue.
"The current approach to regulatory oversight, which focuses on an operator's processes (of safety management) almost to the exclusion of verifying compliance with the regulations, is at risk of failing to address unsafe practices and conditions," a press release accompanying the report states.
A request for an interview with Transport Canada was turned down last week. The department instead issued the written statement in response to Yellowknifer questions following the release of the report.
"Transport Canada takes the (Transportation Safety Board) report seriously and will review the findings carefully to identify areas where further enhancements can be made," the statement said.
The statement revealed that following an inspection by the department in fall 2013, after the crash landing, Transport Canada placed the airline under "enhanced monitoring."
A comprehensive assessment of the airline's safety management plan was carried out which found "several risks."
The statement did not elaborate on the risks.
A corrective action plan was carried out and in January this year, Transport Canada states, the issues were fully addressed.
However, Transport Canada states the next month it conducted an "in-depth program validation inspection and identified several areas for improvement."
Transport Canada stated it will work with the airline to have the issues corrected.
"The department does not have any immediate safety concerns with Buffalo Airways," Transport Canada's statement said.
