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The release of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) final report into the First Air 6560 accident underscores many longstanding safety concerns of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), including terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) requirements, pilot training, and accurate weather reporting.
“Our sympathies go out to all those affected by this tragic accident,” said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s president. “It is incumbent on all of us to take these lessons learned and implement change to help prevent a similar accident in the future.”
ALPA appreciates the TSB’s in-depth analysis of the complex factors that led to this accident. The TSB’s multiple findings make it clear that many factors contributed to this accident. ALPA, working closely with Canadian industry and government, has been active in identifying ways to enhance the safety of airline operations in the Arctic Region.
“ALPA’s President’s Committee for Remote Operations (PCRO) has been working tirelessly with our partners to ensure the infrastructure throughout the region is upgraded to ensure the highest possible levels of safety. These enhancements are vital to ensure the safety of airline travel in the Arctic,” said Capt. Peter Black, PCRO chairman.
For decades, ALPA has advocated for improved pilot training that reflects all aspects of being a professional airline pilot. Pilots must be provided the knowledge and skills that they need to manage their workload and resources in the cockpit, particularly to be able to respond to unexpected, abnormal, and potentially hazardous situations.
Pilot monitoring is an area that ALPA has continued to highlight as an area for emphasis. Monitoring is a skill that must be learned and practiced. Pilots must be taught and given strategies on how to actively monitor and the pilot monitoring role must be better trained and defined. Crew Resource Management and command training are also essential.
Accurate and timely weather reporting is also essential for pilots to have a complete picture for their approach to any airport. The PCRO has consistently advocated that flight crews flying in the Arctic be provided or have access to real-time weather data to assist in the determination of flight safety in one of the most dynamic weather environments in the world.
ALPA appreciates being involved in the TSB’s investigative process. We look forward to working cooperatively and closely with the Minister of Transport, other government officials, and airline industry representatives to address the safety issues identified in this accident.
