Release #: 17.50
September 28, 2017

Wasaya 127 Investigation Report Highlights Need to Address Important Safety Risks

OTTAWA—Today’s release of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) final report into the December 11, 2015, Wasaya Flight 127 accident highlights multiple factors responsible for the accident, which fatally injured the sole pilot.

“Our sympathies go out to those affected by this tragic accident,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA). “We look forward to working with the Minister of Transport, other government officials, and airline industry representatives as we move forward to address the safety issues identified in the final report.”

As a result of the investigation, the TSB highlighted the danger of dispatching flights into forecasted icing conditions and pointed out the importance of operational risk management for pilot self-dispatch. The final report also emphasized the need for implementation of mitigation strategies for operations into known or forecasted icing conditions.

“ALPA appreciates being involved in the investigative process and commends the TSB’s analysis of the complex technical and operational factors that led to this accident. The lessons learned from this tragedy must not be forgotten, and changes are necessary to help prevent similar accidents in the future,” added Capt. Dan Adamus, ALPA Canada president.

For decades, ALPA has advocated for improved pilot training that reflects all aspects of the profession. Pilots must be provided the knowledge and skills needed to make proper decisions, manage their workload and resources in the cockpit and, particularly, must be able to respond to unexpected, abnormal, and potentially hazardous situations.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 57,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org