11. Transportation Safety Board Recommendation Regarding Pilot Medical Requirements

Location: National

Issue/Source: In January 2023, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) issued an air transportation safety advisory letter to Transport Canada related to pilot medical requirements.

Date: 15 March 2023

Suggested responses

• In response to a fatal accident that occurred on in October 2021 near Lacombe Aerodrome, Alberta, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) issued an Air Transportation Safety Advisory Letter in January 2023 to inform Transport Canada (TC) that not all physicians are aware of the requirements to report medical issues for patients that hold a pilot licence.  
• TC, in cooperation with the Canadian Medical Association, is committed to developing strategies to increase the awareness of the reporting requirements for physicians under the Aeronautics Act.
• In their final Investigation Report, the TSB also recommended that TC establish a framework for routine review and improvement of the Handbook for Civil Aviation Medical Examiners to ensure it contains the most effective screening tools for assessing medical conditions.
• The safety and security of Canadians is a top priority for the Government of Canada.

If Pressed

• Under the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board (CTAISB) Act, the Minister must formally respond to TSB recommendations within 90 days and explain how safety deficiencies have been or will be addressed.
• Transport Canada will prepare a formal response within this timeframe.
• TC is updating the air medicine portion of the soon-to-be-published update of the Canadian Medical Association driver’s guide to emphasize the mandatory reporting requirement for Canadian physicians.

Background Information

• In October 2021, an amateur-built Cavalier SA102.5 was operating on a local pleasure flight from the Lacombe Airport, Alberta, with one pilot and one passenger on board. While east of the airport, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall and left-hand spin, and collided with terrain. The pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger was seriously injured. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and portable tracking device activated, aiding in the location of the aircraft. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no post-impact fire.
• In January 2023, the TSB issued an Air Transportation Safety Advisory Letter (A21W0089-D2-A1) to inform TC that not all physicians are aware of the requirements to report medical issues for the patients that hold a pilot licence. TC is working with the Canadian Medical Association to increase awareness of the reporting requirements for physicians.
• The TSB report, released on March 14, 2023, contains the following recommendation:
• • TSB Recommendation A23-01: “The Board recommends that the Department of Transport establish a framework for routine review and improvement to the Handbook for Civil Aviation Medical Examiners to ensure it contains the most effective screening tools for assessing medical conditions such as cardiovascular health issues.”