Summary
On 31 May 2013, at approximately 0011 Eastern Daylight Time, the Sikorsky S-76A helicopter (registration C-GIMY, serial number 760055), operated as Lifeflight 8, departed at night from Runway 06 at the Moosonee Airport, Ontario, on a visual flight rules flight to the Attawapiskat Airport, Ontario, with 2 pilots and 2 paramedics on board. As the helicopter climbed through 300 feet above the ground toward its planned cruising altitude of 1000 feet above sea level, the pilot flying commenced a left-hand turn toward the Attawapiskat Airport, approximately 119 nautical miles to the northwest of the Moosonee Airport. Twenty-three seconds later, the helicopter impacted trees and then struck the ground in an area of dense bush and swampy terrain. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and the ensuing post-crash fire. The helicopter’s satellite tracking system reported a takeoff message and then went inactive. The search-and-rescue satellite system did not detect a signal from the emergency locator transmitter. At approximately 0543, a search-and-rescue aircraft located the crash site approximately 1 nautical mile northeast of Runway 06, and deployed search-and-rescue technicians. However, there were no survivors.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada Recommendation A16-13
“The Department of Transport conduct regular SMS assessments to evaluate the capability of operators to effectively manage safety.”
Transport Canada Response to Recommendation A16-13
Transport Canada agrees in principle with this recommendation.
The suite of surveillance tools that TC uses, namely assessments, program validation inspections and process inspections, are effective in verifying compliance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations, including SMS requirements.
TC has adopted a systems-based approach to all its surveillance activities. In other words, TC has added management system principles and quality assurance techniques to surveillance activities across all sectors not just those subject to safety management system requirements. Under the systems-based approach, TC’s civil aviation safety inspectors use the systems as an entry point and sample end products to verify that the system is working effectively and is in compliance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
While TC continually evaluates its tools to ensure they continue to be effective and makes updates, as required, the department is confident in its approach of using a combination of surveillance tools to verify regulatory compliance.