TSB Issues "Watchlist"

[grizzled]

The TSB today issued this list of issues of concern in transportation. I'm interested in reactions and comments on the aviation issues raised -- and the TSB's suggested actions.

grizz

Transportation Safety Board of Canada - Communiqué - Watchlist - Multi-Modal (http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/autres-other/2010/comm_mm20100316.asp)

[dhc2widow]

I'd rather say this, as I've said elsewhere ...

How much time and money do you think they spent on creating this list? Considering that the NTSB created its "Most Wanted" list way back in 1990, and that, for instance, runway incursions and human fatigue were on their list then and both are STILL on the list (fatigue is still red lighted!), just how much difference has having the list made?

Especially in light of the C-TSB including SMS on their "Watchlist", it is my humble opinion that the safety agenda would be better served if the TSB provided accessible information through a searchable database that includes findings on ALL accidents and incidents that were required to be reported, whatever the class of investigation.

[grizzled]

widow...

Your response illustrates exactly the reason I started the thread. For different reasons, you and I have similar biases. Regarding aviation safety in Canada, I feel strongly that the emphasis and priorities are seriously mis-placed. In the case of TC the problem is entirely a matter of political economics (IMO). With regard to the TSB I believe it to be mostly budgetary, with a liberal sprinkling of "ostrich" thrown in. (i.e. "That's the way we do things, so that's the way we will continue to do things.")

In both cases above, and in the case of larger air carriers, I believe the results of the seeds being sown now -- re SMS and TC's delegation (abandonment) of oversight -- will be disastrous.

And that's why I am very interested in a discussion...

grizz

[dhc2widow]

grizz, I agree and hope others will chime in.

Yesterday, the same day on which the TSB put SMS on their watchlist, Transport Minister Baird announced that TC will be taking back certification and oversight of the business sector from the CBAA.

Transport Canada takes full authority for business aviation - News Releases - Transport Canada (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2010-h031e-5864.htm)

There has been a claim that TC has stated it will require 50 new inspectors in order to fulfill this returned authority. Some people have the nerve to suggest this is a ploy on the part of the inspector's unions to acquire more dues, rather than a concerted effort by the inspectors representatives to ensure TC is able to do its job effectively. TC has certainly admitted that there were already a large number of vacant positions that required filling prior to this latest.

Personally, I see this as a step in the right direction. But there are many things I think TC needs to do in order to repair the damage done.

A functioning SMS absolutely relies on quality of information sharing. In order to assess risks, one needs to be able to discover potential risks in advance of having to face them. Putting aside the difficulties of searching the various TC databases for information (SDRs and the CADORS, for instance) for a moment, I believe the TSB is seriously failing the industry.

An absolutely Essential way of setting up a good SMS includes evaluating incidents and accidents of similar operations/aircraft. This is why SafeSkies included the following in their objectives:
Ensuring that the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada investigate all accidents that result in death or serious injury of a worker for cause and contributing factors in a timely fashion, and the results made public as they are with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States;
Ensuring that the TSB Aviation Safety Information System (ASIS) is made public as is the NTSB database in the United States;
Mission Statement | SafeSkies.ca (http://safeskies.ca/mission.html) ... and this in the petition:WHEREAS, the Transportation Safety Board no longer investigates all serious accidents for cause and contributing factors, nor does it make public the results of all investigations, resulting in a loss of valuable
safety information;
Aviation Safety Petition (PDF) (http://peterjulian.ndp.ca/sites/default/files/Petition-%20Aviation%20Safety.Peter%20Julian_ENG.pdf)


Unfortunately, the TSB doesn't see this as a problem. No response to the petition has yet been received from TC (although it is overdue now, by parliamentary rules), but this response was received from the TSB: TSB Response to Petition (PDF) (http://safeskies.ca/files/safeskies/docs/TSB_Petition_Response.pdf). Unfortunately, it doesn't seem the TSB sees themselves as a problem, or underfunded.

[4Greens]

For dhc2 Widow:

There was supposed to be a CBC programme on SMS and audit in March. Any news? I was a contributor.

[dhc2widow]

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[fesmokie]

I'm curious if any of the list's such as the USA's and Canada's is public information. Does anyone know?

[dhc2widow]

Canada: TSB Watchlist (http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/surveillance-watchlist/)
Canada: Recommendations & Responses (Air) (http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/recommandations-recommendations/index.asp?mode=Aviation)

US: NTSB Most Wanted (Air) (http://www.ntsb.gov/recs/mostwanted/aviation_issues.htm)

Hope that helps.