Transport Canada Reacts

Canada's Transport Minister, David Collenette, has provided an initial response to the Transportation Safety Board's final report on the crash of Swissair Flight 111 following an on-board fire off the coast of Nova Scotia on September 2, 1998.
"I would first like to commend the Transportation Safety Board for its thorough and exhaustive investigation into this tragic accident - an investigation of unprecedented magnitude in Canadian history.

"The issues raised in the Transportation Safety Board's final report are detailed and complex. The report culminates four-and-a-half years of painstaking work by Canadian investigators that will significantly enhance international aviation safety. The board's interim reports on the Swissair accident have already led to worldwide improvements in aviation safety," said Mr. Collenette.

First, 'We didn't do it.'

There are no MD-11 aircraft -- the type of aircraft involved in the Swissair accident -- operated by Canadian carriers. The board's recommendations are directed to world aviation regulatory authorities. As a result, this accident will require international cooperation and resolve to implement the recommended safety actions. Transport Canada will assume a leadership role and bring the board's work directly to the attention of its international partners, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the Joint European Aviation Authorities, through various international safety working groups and committees.

Helpful suggestions...

"I have written to my counterpart in the United States, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, to encourage the United States to adopt the board's recommendations. The MD-11 aircraft involved in the Swissair accident was certified in the United States and, as such, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration will play a key role in implementing the board's recommendations," said Mr. Collenette.

"I have also written my counterpart in France, M. Gilles de Robien, Minister for Capital Works, Transportation, Housing, Tourism and Maritime Affairs and Mr. Klaus Koplin, Secretary General Joint Aviation Authorities, to engage them and other international partners in addressing the safety issues raised in the report."

Covering the Canadian fleet:

Transport Canada has already taken action on the board's recommendations and has assessed the Canadian fleet to confirm that no Canadian registered aircraft were using metalized Mylar covered insulation blankets (MPET), which were identified by the board as significant contributors to the spread of fire on this aircraft. As a further precautionary measure, the department has issued an airworthiness notice to the Canadian aviation industry, including manufacturing and maintenance organizations, design organizations and operators, to reinforce that MPET not be used.

Spinoff benefits of intense investigation:

In the course of its investigation, the board has broken new scientific ground to help identify the potential causes of this complex accident and developed new testing methods that will become standard practice for aircraft safety and design.

Transport Canada accepts the new scientific flammability test recommended by the Transportation Safety Board and is proposing new rules for flammability tests that will govern Canadian industry. These new rules will exceed what is recommended by the board.

"My department will provide a formal response to the board's report within 90 days and looks forward to working closely with the Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and our other domestic and international partners and stakeholders to achieve the goals and safety objectives brought forward in this final report," added Mr. Collenette.

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca