Four people died in a float plane crash on Saturday near Tofino, leading to renewed calls for mandatory lifejackets for passengers – but the industry still isn't convinced that's the right strategy.
In November 2009, five adults and one baby were killed when a float plane went down shortly after takeoff on Saturna Island. Six months later, another crash killed four off the coast of the First Nations community of Ahousat.
Statistics show the majority of those who die in float plane crashes are not killed on impact; 67 per cent die of drowning. The Transportation Safety Board has argued for 16 years that lifejackets should be required for all passengers, but industry giant Harbour Air still isn't convinced.
Vice President Randy Wright says they may do more harm than good. If they inflate inside the aircraft, Wright argues, it could become difficult for passengers wearing them to exit through the plane's doors.
"We are not convinced yet that that's the way to go," he said.
But Wright says his company will follow whatever rules the government adopts. On Monday, the federal Transportation Minister John Baird made recommendations aimed at making float planes safer – including mandatory lifejackets.
"I think it's clear we don't need any more studies," Baird said in a release, adding that he had instructed his officials to undertake the following actions:
Implement an updated float plane safety awareness campaign for passengers and commercial operators starting in June.
Strengthen the investigation and enforcement actions against operators found not to be following regulations and standards.
Undertake a full review with industry stakeholders, safety advocates, communities and other jurisdictions
Investigate the possibility of implements emergency exits, pop-out windows, mandatory life vests and escape training for commercial crews
Nothing is in stone yet, and critics hope it doesn't take another 16 years for better safety procedures to take flight.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's St. John Alexander
