Safety Board Renews Call to Transport Canada for Improved Airplane Safety Following Stall and Crash in BC
A plane crash involving an Air Nootka De Havilland aircraft on Vancouver Island last year has reignited a discussion between the Transportation Safety Board and the federal government regarding stall warning systems.
The sole pilot on board sustained serious injuries when the plane stalled and crashed into dense forest while trying to land near Gold River, B.C.
According to a report by the Transportation Safety Board, there are a few aircraft models still in commercial service that do not have stall warning systems, such as the De Havilland DHC-2.
The Air Nootka plane did not have a warning system, and the report states that since 1998, there have been 17 incidents involving De Havilland planes stalling and crashing, resulting in at least 38 fatalities.
In 2017, the safety board recommended to Transport Canada that all commercially operated planes be equipped with stall warning systems, but the government declined to make it a requirement.
The safety board disagrees with Transport Canada’s assertion that even with a warning system in place, pilots have limited time to react and recover when a stall occurs.
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The report from the safety board emphasizes the importance of a warning system as a crucial safety measure against stalls.
“To mitigate the risk of an aircraft losing control, pilots must receive a clear and immediate indication of an upcoming stall,” the report explains.
Until Transport Canada implements new regulations to address the hazards of stall-related incidents, the safety board believes that the risks associated with this safety issue persist.
The report’s safety message highlights that planes originally certified without stall warning systems can benefit from aftermarket installations.
“Stall warning systems can help reduce the risks faced by pilots during maneuvers at high angles of attack, such as takeoffs and landings,” the report concludes.
