Page 7 - Forum-2020-JulyToSeptember

ered the most comprehensive methods regulatory requirements or specifications. the use of FDM, providing informa-
of capturing large amounts of flight data To provide an accessible and feasible tion on FDM, including its benefits,
for accident investigations. Investigations means of recording valuable flight data costs, and challenges. Due to other
can also obtain data from other sourc- information, regardless of the type of ministerial commitments, the TC has
es, such as iPads, tablets, smartphones, aircraft and operation flown, several not initiated its work for any of these
GPS units, engine monitors, and other lightweight flight recording systems undertakings.
nonvolatile memory sources that are not currently manufactured can record In February 2018, the TC conducted a
crash-protected. Investigators who have combined cockpit image, cockpit audio, focus group with industry stakeholders
access to data from FDRs and CVRs, as aircraft parametric data, and/or datalink to evaluate the challenges and benefits
well as from these other types of light- messages. Although there are currently of installing lightweight flight recording
weight recording systems, are more likely no regulations in Canada requiring any systems on aircraft that are not currently
to identify safety deficiencies than investi- aircraft to be equipped with lightweight required to carry these systems. However,
gations who do not benefit from FDR and flight recording systems, these devices until the focus group reaches conclusions
CVR data. provide a potential cost-effective alterna- concerning these challenges and benefits
In 2016, the International Civil Aviation tive for some sectors of the civil aviation in small aircraft, and the TC provides
Organization (ICAO) amended Annex 6 of industry. the TSB with its plan of action following
its standards and recommended prac- In 2013, following its investigation into those conclusions, it is unclear when or
tices to recommend that certain catego- a fatal in-flight breakup occurrence in how the safety deficiency identified in
ries of aircraft and helicopters flown by March 2011 northeast of Mayo, Yukon, Recommendation A13-01 will be ad-
commercial operators carry lightweight Canada, the TSB concluded there was dressed.
flight recorders. The European Organ- a compelling case for implementing Although Recommendation A13-01
ization for Civil Aviation Equipment lightweight flight recording systems targeted commercial operators, the con-
(EUROCAE) established the minimum for all commercial operators. The TSB trast in available evidence demonstrated
operational performance specification recommended that the TC work with between the Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the
for lightweight flight recording systems, industry to remove obstacles to and Kelowna aircraft accidents discussed in
ED-155, and ICAO references this docu- develop recommended practices for the this paper highlights the value of install-
ment. As well, ICAO Annex 6 outlines the implementation of flight data monitoring ing lightweight flight recording systems
minimum specifications for such systems. (FDM) and the installation of lightweight on privately operated aircraft as well.
To comply with recent amendments to flight recording systems by commercial Investigators are at a disadvantage in
ICAO Annex 6 and to address 12 safety operators not currently required to carry determining the causes of an occurrence
recommendations issued by seven differ- these systems (TSB Recommendation when no flight data are available, regard-
ent investigation bodies in Europe, the A13-01). less of whether the investigation involves
European Union Aviation Safety Agency The TC has acknowledged that FDM an aircraft operated commercially or a
(EASA) published a notice of proposed programs would enhance safety and has business aircraft operated privately.
amendment (NPA) in 2017, under which taken the following actions to address the From past TSB investigation reports,
new regulations would prescribe light- safety deficiency identified in Recommen- it has been demonstrated that investiga-
weight flight recorders for some catego- dation A13-01: tors have been unable to determine the
ries of commercially operated aircraft and • In 2013, after conducting a risk reasons for an accident because of the
helicopters. assessment to evaluate alternative lack of onboard recording devices. The
In Canada, FDR and CVR regulations approaches to FDM, the TC informed benefits of recorded flight data in aircraft
are currently specified in Section 605.33 of the TSB that it supported Recom- accident investigations are well known
mendation A13-01. In 2015, the TC
the CARs, Flight Data Recorder and Cock- informed the TSB that it intended to and documented. Because of the compel-
pit Voice Recorder. Under this provision, revisit this risk assessment. ling evidence that the lack of recording
the requirements for CVR and FDR equip- devices on board commercial aircraft and
ment in aircraft are based primarily on • In 2013, the TC informed the TSB that private aircraft continues to impede the
the number and type of engines, number it would develop an advisory circular TSB’s ability to advance transportation
of passenger seats, and type of operation. outlining recommended practices for safety, the TSB board recommended that
FDM programs.
Given the design characteristics and con- the Department of Transport require the
figurations, many aircraft flown by private • In 2013, the TC informed the TSB that mandatory installation of lightweight
operators, including both aircraft that it would incorporate its analysis and flight recording systems by commercial
were involved in the accidents discussed review of Recommendation A13-01 operators and private operators not
in this paper, are not required by regula- into its planned assessment for FDRs currently required to carry these systems
tion to be equipped with either an FDR or and CVRs, which was scheduled to (TSB Recommendation A18-01 that re-
a CVR. begin in 2014–2015. placed TSB Recommendation A13-01).
EUROCAE’s minimum operational • In 2014, the TC informed the TSB that In the first accident discussed in this
performance specification for lightweight it would consider adding FDM prin- paper at Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport,
flight recording systems defines the ciples in future regulatory initiatives there was a lightweight flight recording
minimum specifications for lightweight and amendments. system on board although it was not
flight data recording systems; Transport • In 2015, the TC informed the TSB that required by regulation. By recovering the
Canada (TC) does not currently have any it would prepare an issue paper on recorder and extracting its data for anal-
July-September 2020 ISASI Forum • 7