Thu, Jun 03, 2010
Industry Leaders Say Life Jackets May Not Be The Best Solution
To The Problem
After four people died following an accident involving a
floatplane in Canada on Saturday, the Canadian Transportation
Safety Agency has again called for float plane operators to be
required to carry a personal floatation device (PFD) for every
person on board the aircraft. Canadian Transportation Minister John
Baird included the provisions as part of recommendations made
Monday.
But one of the industry's major players says it is not convinced
that the life jackets would have the desired effect. Harbour Air
Vice President Randy Wright said passengers might have a more
difficult time exiting an aircraft if a PFD they were wearing
inflated while they were still inside.
Canadian TV reports that government statistics show that 67
percent of those who are killed in floatplane accidents die due to
drowning, rather than from the impact. The Canadian Safety Board
has argued for the PFD's for 16 years.
While Baird said in a news release that it is "clear that we
don't need any more studies," among his recommendations to the
government are to implement a floatplane safety awareness campaign
for both passengers and operators, and a feasibility study of
emergency exits, pop-out windows, mandatory life vests, and escape
training for commercial operators. He said all industry
stakeholders, safety advocates, communities, and other interested
parties should be included in a "full review."
File Photo
While Wright said his company was not convinced that the PFD
rule was "the right way to go," he did say that the company would
follow what ever government rules were put in place.
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