Industry Leaders Say Life Jackets May Not Be The Best Solution To The Problem

After four people died following an accident involving a floatplane in Canada on Saturday, the Canadian Transportation Safety Agency has again called for float plane operators to be required to carry a personal floatation device (PFD) for every person on board the aircraft. Canadian Transportation Minister John Baird included the provisions as part of recommendations made Monday.

But one of the industry's major players says it is not convinced that the life jackets would have the desired effect. Harbour Air Vice President Randy Wright said passengers might have a more difficult time exiting an aircraft if a PFD they were wearing inflated while they were still inside.

Canadian TV reports that government statistics show that 67 percent of those who are killed in floatplane accidents die due to drowning, rather than from the impact. The Canadian Safety Board has argued for the PFD's for 16 years.

While Baird said in a news release that it is "clear that we don't need any more studies," among his recommendations to the government are to implement a floatplane safety awareness campaign for both passengers and operators, and a feasibility study of emergency exits, pop-out windows, mandatory life vests, and escape training for commercial operators. He said all industry stakeholders, safety advocates, communities, and other interested parties should be included in a "full review."

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While Wright said his company was not convinced that the PFD rule was "the right way to go," he did say that the company would follow what ever government rules were put in place.

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca/eng/air-menu.htm