Air transportation occurrences in 2020

The TSB gathers and uses transportation occurrence data during the course of its investigations to analyze safety deficiencies and identify risks in the Canadian air transportation system.

It should be noted that certain characteristics of the data constrain statistical analysis and identification of emerging trends. These include the small totals of accidents and incidents, the large variability in the data from year to year, and changes to regulations and definitions. The reader is cautioned to keep these limitations in mind when reading this summary to avoid drawing conclusions that cannot be supported by statistical analysis.

Throughout this document, there are instances where categories of occurrences sum to more than the total number of occurrences. For example, if a single occurrence involves an airplane and a glider, the occurrence count will increase by one in each aircraft category but the occurrence itself will be counted only once in the total of occurrences.

The 2020 data were collected according to the reporting requirements described in the Transportation Safety Board Regulations in force during that calendar year.

The statistics presented here reflect the TSB Aviation Safety Information System (ASIS) database at 9 April 2021. Since the occurrence data are constantly being updated in the live database, the statistics may change slightly over time.

Also, as many occurrences are limited to data gathering, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified.

COVID-19 impacts on civil aviation in Canada

In early 2020, a new coronavirus began to affect air passenger travel in China and Hong Kong. By mid-March, broad travel restrictions were in place in Canada and around the world in an effort to contain the virus. The impact on commercial aviation was immediate, widespread, and lasting, with air transportation activity in Canada being greatly reduced during most of 2020. In April of 2020, total aircraft movements at major airportsFootnote 1 in Canada were roughly 75% fewer than in 2019. While domestic itinerant movements slowly resumed over the remainder of the year, total traffic continued to be greatly reduced. In January of 2021, total aircraft movements at major Canadian airports remained 30% fewer than in January of 2020.Footnote 2 Major Canadian airlines carried 797 000 passengers in January of 2021, which is 89% fewer than a year before.Footnote 3 Notably, Statistics Canada data for major airports indicate that itinerant (point-to-point) movements were down 41% in calendar year 2020 compared to 2019, but local movements (returning to where they took off) were down by only 20% for the same periods.Footnote 4 Unfortunately, data for small airports (without NAV CANADA towers or flight service stations) are no longer available from Statistics Canada.

Although passenger air carriers greatly reduced their activity during 2020, other sectors of the air transportation industry were less affected by COVID-19 restrictions. There is evidence that smaller aircraft continued to operate during much of 2020 at levels that were similar to 2019. Flight training units, aerial work, and air taxi operations, as well as recreational flying, were less affected than major airlines. Statistics Canada estimates of aviation fuel consumptionFootnote 5 are revealing: compared with 2019, average monthly consumption of kerosene-type jet fuel in 2020 (April to November) fell by almost 75%. This is consistent with the activity decrease seen for large passenger aircraft. However, consumption of aviation gasoline— used in smaller, piston-powered aircraft—did not decrease (on average) for the same period.

The above patterns in civil aviation activity informs the discussion of accident and incident counts for 2020, which is presented below.

Figure 1. Indexes of passengers carried and air carrier movements, domestic and international, January 2020 to January 2021 (Source: Statistics Canada)Footnote 6
Image
Indexes of passengers carried and air  carrier movements, domestic and international, January 2020 to January 2021 (Source: Statistics Canada)
Figure 1. Data table
Indexes of passengers carried and air carrier movements, domestic and international, January 2020 to January 2021
Month / Year Passengers – Scheduled domestic flights Passengers – Scheduled international flights Air carrier movements (levels I to III and foreign) – Domestic Air carrier movements (levels I to III and foreign) – International
January 2020 100 100 100 100
February 2020 98.4 97.8 95 94
March 2020 62.2 59.8 82.7 78.5
April 2020 4.8 0.8 31.7 10.6
May 2020 5.9 0.7 33.8 11.2
June 2020 12.1 1.5 44.7 12.9
July 2020 24 3 56.3 16.7
August 2020 31.2 4 59.5 17.3
September 2020 25.3 3.7 56.7 16.3
October 2020 23.7 3.8 57.4 17.7
November 2020 19 4.6 52.2 18.6
December 2020 20.2 7.3 53.7 22.4
January 2021 17 6.4 48 20.7
Figure 2. Domestic consumption of kerosene-type jet fuel, 2019 and 2020Footnote 7
Image
Domestic consumption of kerosene-type jet  fuel, 2019 and 2020
Figure 2. Data table
Domestic consumption of kerosene-type jet fuel, 2019 and 2020
Month 2019 consumption 2019 average 2020 consumption 2020 average (Apr–Nov)
Jan 771.006 792 798.001  
Feb 650.206 792 575.97  
Mar 710.609 792 541.351  
Apr 827.688 792 128.82 234
May 712.505 792 150.107 234
Jun 897.418 792 181.067 234
Jul 845.704 792 288.864 234
Aug 976.834 792 290.14 234
Sep 902.767 792 285.444 234
Oct 802.214 792 264.84 234
Nov 660.402 792 279.482 234
Dec 744.544 792    
Figure 3. Domestic consumption of aviation gasoline, 2019 and 2020Footnote 8
Image
Domestic consumption of aviation gasoline,  2019 and 2020
Figure 3. Data table
Domestic consumption of aviation gasoline, 2019 and 2020
Month 2019 consumption 2019 average 2020 consumption 2020 average (Apr–Nov)
Jan 3736 3712 625
Feb 1739 3712 1851
Mar 2063 3712 5613
Apr 4889 3712 483 3765
May 4666 3712 4697 3765
Jun 4793 3712 3591 3765
Jul 1568 3712 4488 3765
Aug 4357 3712 6069 3765
Sep 5994 3712 5589 3765
Oct 3422 3712 3515 3765
Nov 3441 3712 1689 3765
Dec 3875 3712    

Overview of accidents and fatalities

Accident counts

Air transportation occurrences are reportable to the TSB if they occur in Canada. They are also reportable outside of Canada if they involve Canadian-registered aircraft, and meet the criteria laid out in the TSB Regulations.Footnote 9

In 2020, a total of 170 air transportation accidents were reported to the TSB (Table 1 and Figure 4). This number is 25% lower than the previous year’s total of 227 accidents and 32% below the average of 251 accidents reported in the prior 10 years, 2010 to 2019. Most (165) of the accidents in 2020 took place in Canada and involved Canadian-registered aircraft. Five accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft took place outside Canada, and no accidents in Canada involved foreign-registered aircraft. In general, the number of air transportation accidents has been decreasing in the last decade.

Figure 4. Reported air transportation accidents, 2010 to 2020
Image
Reported air transportation accidents, 2010 to  2020
Figure 4. Data table
Reported air transportation accidents, 2010 to 2020
Year Number of Accidents 
2010 288
2011 257
2012 291
2013 276
2014 249
2015 251
2016 230
2017 240
2018 201
2019 227
2020 170

There were 153 accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft (excluding ultralights) in 2020 (Table 2). This is below the 2019 count of 200 accidents, and some 30% below the average of 218 accidents in the preceding 10 years (2010 to 2019). If the 17 accidents involving ultralights are included in the count, there were 170 accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft in 2020.

Of the 170 air transportation accidents reported to the TSB in 2020, 133 (78%) involved fixed-wing, powered airplanes (other than ultralights) (Table 1), 16 (9%) involved helicopters, 17 (10%) involved ultralights, and 4 accidents (2%) involved other types of aircraft. In the 10 years from 2010 to 2019, the average proportion of accidents involving each of these 4 types of aircraft has remained fairly constant: airplanes have been involved in roughly 75% of reportable accidents each year, helicopters in about 12% of accidents, ultralights in about 10%, and other aircraft in about 3% of accidents each year.

Operator type

There were 54 accidents that involved commercially-operated aircraft in 2020 (Table 1). This is fewer than the 83 such accidents recorded in 2019, and 36% below the average of 85 accidents recorded in the 10 years 2010–2019.

Commercially-operated Canadian-registered airplanes were involved in 45 accidents in 2020 (Table 2 and Figure 5), and 4 of those involved operations under Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Subpart 705, which certificates the operation of airliners. This is fewer than the 7 accidents involving Canadian-registered airliners in 2019, and below the average of 6 accidents per year recorded from 2010 to 2019. In 2020, the TSB opened formal investigations (A20Q0013, A20P0013, and A20C0107) into 3 of the 4 accidents in that year that involved airliners. All 3 are Class 3 investigations.Footnote 10 Two involved runway excursions and 1 involved abnormal runway contact.

Figure 5. Accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft, excluding ultralights, by aircraft type and operation type in 2020, compared with the 2010–2019 average
Image
Accidents involving Canadian-registered  aircraft, excluding ultralights, by aircraft type and operation type in 2020,  compared with the 2010–2019 average
Figure 5. Data table
Accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft, excluding ultralights, by aircraft type and operation type in 2020, compared with the 2010–2019 average
Type of aircraft and operation 2010 to 2019 average 2020
Other aircraft types  7 4
Helicopter  31 16
Privately operated aeroplane  117 88
State operated aeroplane  2 0
Flight training units (aeroplane) 19 20
Aerial work aeroplane  11 8
Air taxi aeroplane  20 10
Commuter aeroplane  4 3
Airliner aeroplane  6 4

Also in 2020, there were 3 accidents involving Canadian-registered commuter airplanes operating under CARs Subpart 704 (Table 2), as well as 13 accidents involving air taxi operations (CARs Subpart 703)—10 involving airplanes and 3 involving helicopters. These 13 air taxi accidents are substantially fewer than the 26 seen in 2019, and far below the average of 31 accidents per year between 2010 and 2019. Flight training units operating under CARs Subpart 406 were involved in 20 accidents in 2020, all of which involved airplanes (as opposed to helicopters). On average for the period 2010 to 2019, flight training units reported about 19 airplane and 1 helicopter accidents per year.

Overall in 2020, 114 air transportation accidents involved non-commercial (i.e., private aircraft) operations (Table 1), compared to 143 in the preceding year. This is 28% below the annual average of 159 accidents from 2010 to 2019. Of the 114 total accidents in the non-commercial (private aircraft) operations category, 88 involved Canadian-registered airplanes (Table 2), and 2 of these 88 were operating under CARs Subpart 604 with a Private Operator Registration Document (PORD).

Most operators of non-commercial (private) aircraft are classified as recreational operators. Recreational operators are responsible for a significant amount of flying activity, and are involved in many accidents each year. In 2020, 109 accidents involved recreational operators (Table 1). This figure is down 18% from the previous year’s count, and 28% below the average (152) for the period 2010 to 2019.

In addition to commercial, private and recreational operations, 1 accident in 2020 involved a remotely-piloted aircraft system (RPAS), or “drone”, which was operated with a special flight operations certificate (SFOC) and was categorized as an ‘other’ operator type.

Province or territory

Ontario, with 39 reported accidents (all aircraft types, including ultralights), was the province with the largest number of reported accidents in 2020, as it was in the previous 3 years (Table 7; data not shown). Ontario also averaged more accidents per year (63) in the 2010–2019 period than any other province or territory, with Quebec having the second-largest average accident count (54) for the same period. British Columbia and Alberta also have high average accident counts compared with the remaining provinces and territories.

Altogether, 5 accidents that were reportable under TSB Regulations occurred outside Canada in 2020. These involved 3 airplanes, 1 helicopter and 1 ultralight.

The number of accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft (excluding ultralights) by province or territory (Table 8) is shown in Figure 6. There were 32 accidents reported in Ontario involving Canadian-registered aircraft in 2020, which is 39% below the average number (53) for the years 2010 to 2019. Saskatchewan was the only province to have an increase in the number of accidents in 2020, with 16 accidents during 2020 compared to 12 in 2019, a 33% increase.

Figure 6. Air transportation accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft, excluding ultralights, in 2020 compared with the 2010 to 2019 average, by province or territory
Image
Air transportation accidents involving  Canadian-registered aircraft, excluding ultralights, in 2020 compared with the 2010  to 2019 average, by province or territory
Figure 6. Data table
Accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft, excluding ultralights, by aircraft type and operation type in 2020, compared with the 2010–2019 average
Province or territory 2010 to 2019 average 2020
BC 38 32
AB 27 23
SK 13 16
MB 14 9
ON 53 32
QC 45 29
NB, NL, NS, PE 11 5
YT, NT, NU 10 3
FOREIGN  7 4

Fatal accidents, fatalities, and serious injuries

The TSB recorded 12 fatal air transportation accidents involving 16 fatalities in 2020 (tables 1 and 4, and Figure 7). This is down considerably from 33 fatal accidents involving 70 fatalities in 2019, and is less than the corresponding averages of 30 fatal accidents involving 52 fatalities over the ten years 2010 to 2019. Of the 12 fatal accidents in 2020, 7 involved fixed-wing, powered airplanes, 2 involved helicopters, and 3 involved ultralight aircraft. All of these occurrences involved Canadian-registered aircraft operating inside Canadian airspace. There were no fatal accidents in Canada during 2020 that involved foreign-registered aircraft.

Figure 7. Fatal accidents and fatalities involving Canadian-registered aircraft, 2010 to 2020
Image
Fatal accidents and fatalities involving  Canadian-registered aircraft, 2010 to 2020
Figure 7. Data table
Fatal accidents and fatalities involving Canadian-registered aircraft, 2010 to 2020
Year Fatalities  Fatal accidents 
2010 72 37
2011 66 35
2012 63 42
2013 65 38
2014 21 14
2015 47 29
2016 45 29
2017 34 22
2018 38 23
2019 70 33
2020 16 12

Two of the 16 air transportation fatalities in 2020 involved commercial operations (Table 4): 1 of them under air taxi regulations (CARs 703), and 1 under aerial work (CARs 702). There were no fatalities involving airliner operations (CARs 705), commuter operations (CARs 704), or flight training operations (CARs 406) in 2020. The remaining 14 (of 16) fatalities in 2020 were linked to privately registered aircraft and involved recreational operators, with none involving an operator holding a PORD (CARs 604).

With regards to type of aircraft, 11 of 16 fatalities in 2020 resulted from accidents in fixed-wing powered airplanes (Table 4). Helicopter accidents resulted in 2 fatalities, and ultralight accidents accounted for the remaining 3. Of the 16 total fatalities, 11 were crew members and 5 were aircraft passengers. There were no fatalities among persons on the ground in 2020.

Overall, 17 persons received serious injuries in aircraft accidents in 2020 (Table 5), which is considerably fewer than the 31 persons seriously injured in 2019, and 48% below the average of 33 in the period 2010 to 2019. Only 3 persons received serious injuries in accidents involving commercial operations in 2020: 1 in a commuter aircraft (CARs 704), 1 in aerial work operations (CARs 702), and 1 with a flight-training unit (CARs 406). Also in 2020, 13 persons incurred serious injuries in recreational operations, and 1 person sustained serious injuries in a state-operated aircraft.

Accident rate

Accident rate as a key safety indicator

A key indicator of air transportation safety is the aircraft accident rate, which is calculated as the number of accidents per hours flown or per number of movements (a movement can be a takeoff or a landing). Analyzing trends of accident rates for different types of operators can signal emerging safety issues associated with specific operator types and activities.

Activity data (e.g., flight hours) broken out by operator typeFootnote 11 are required to calculate accident rates that enable trend analysis of specific operator types over time, or support comparisons across operator types or geographical regions.

Until 2010, Transport Canada provided activity data broken out by operator type, and the TSB used these data to calculate and publish accident rates across operator types. Since 2010, however, Transport Canada no longer provides hours-flown activity data breakouts by operator type, because it had concerns regarding the accuracy of those data, which, for some operators that operated under more than one subpart of the CARs, were collectively reported only under the most restrictive CARs subpart.

Reporting all hours for all subparts under a single total conflates and confounds airline and commuter activity, as well as the activity of many smaller air operators that carry out operations under multiple subparts of the CARs (commuter, air taxi, and/or aerial work) and report their activity as a single total. Furthermore, movement data as presently reported by Statistics CanadaFootnote 12 come from a survey that covers all aircraft movements at major Canadian airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers and flight service stations, but as of April 2020, Statistics Canada no longer collects data about movements at small airports without towers or flight service stations, and so activity at smaller airports is not reflected in the data.

Because hours-flown and movement data are currently not categorized by CARs subpart when collected by the Canadian government, there is no differentiation between sectors (e.g., air-taxi operators versus airline operators) or between different types of aircraft (airplane, helicopter, floatplane). Therefore, accident rates cannot be calculated for individual sectors of the industry.

Without hours-flown and movement data that are categorized by CARs subpart and aircraft type, it will be more difficult for sector stakeholders to assess risks and determine if mitigation strategies being carried out to improve safety are actually working.

Therefore, in 2019 the Board recommended that

the Department of Transport require all commercial operators to collect and report hours flown and movement data for their aircraft by Canadian Aviation Regulations subpart and aircraft type, and that the Department of Transport publish those data.
TSB Recommendation A19-05

Accident rate for Canadian-registered aircraft, in Canada and abroad, per 100 000 hours flown

Overall accident rate

Transport Canada collects information about the number of hours flown by Canadian-registered aircraft. The 2020 overall air transportation accident rate of 5.8 per 100 000 hours flown (Table 3) was calculated based on the 149 accidents (24% below 2019) in Canada and abroad involving Canadian-registered airplanes and helicopters (ultralights and other aircraft types are excluded), and the estimated 2 550 000 hours flown by Canadian-registered aircraft (48% below 2019).Footnote 13 This rate is above the 2019 rate of 4.0 accidents per 100 000 flight hours, and 24% above the average rate of 4.7 accidents per 100 000 hours flown each year over the previous 10 years. While the number of hours flown decreased by almost half in 2020 compared to 2019, the number of reported accidents decreased by a lesser amount – around 25%. Taken together this means the accident rate statistic went up.

Despite the upward jump in accident rate in 2020, it remains statistically plausible that the accident rate for Canadian-registered aircraft has been trending generally downward over the past 11 years. The accident rate has fallen from about 6 accidents per 100 000 hours flown in 2010 to 4 in 2019, a reduction of 33%, before rising again to 5.8 during 2020. Kendall’s tau-b (τb) correlation and Sen’s estimate of slope were used to quantify the trend in Canadian-registered aircraft accident rate and fatal accident rate. Kendall's τb correlation coefficient is a nonparametric measure of the strength and direction of association that exists between two variables. Kendall’s τb was calculated on the 11-year series of accident rate values by year from 2010 to 2020. There was a moderate, negative correlation that indicates a downward trend in accident rate per 100 000 hours flown over the period (τb = −0.5273, p = 0.0240). Sen’s estimate of slope, the amount of downward rate change per year, was −0.192 occurrences per 100 000 hours flown per year. A graphical illustration is presented in Figure 8.

Fatal accidents

Figure 8 also illustrates a trend line for fatal accidents. For the 12 fatal accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft in 2020, the fatal accident rate was 0.4 per 100 000 hours flown. That rate is down from the 2019 rate of 0.5, and is below the 2010 to 2019 average of 0.5 fatal accidents per 100 000 hours flown. Although there is a downward trend to the series of fatal accident rates since 2010 (Kendall’s τb = −0.6000, p = 0.0102), the slope of the trend is quite small: Sen’s estimate of slope is −0.037 fatal accidents per 100 000 hours flown per year.

Figure 8. Canadian-registered aircraft accidents per 100 000 hours flown, 2010 to 2020
Image
Canadian-registered aircraft accidents per 100  000 hours flown, 2010 to 2020
Figure 8. Data table
Canadian-registered aircraft accidents per 100 000 hours flown, 2010 to 2020
Year Canadian-registered aeroplane and helicopter accidents per 100 000 hours flown Sen's estimate of slope (−0.192) Fatal Canadian-registered aeroplane and helicopter accidents per 100 000 hours flown Sen's estimate of slope (−0.037)
2010 6.0 5.7 0.8 0.7
2011 5.3 5.5 0.7 0.7
2012 5.3 5.3 0.7 0.6
2013 5.4 5.1 0.7 0.6
2014 4.8 4.9 0.2 0.6
2015 5.1 4.7 0.5 0.5
2016 4.3 4.5 0.5 0.5
2017 4.2 4.3 0.4 0.5
2018 3.4 4.1 0.4 0.4
2019 4.0 3.9 0.5 0.4
2020 5.8 3.7 0.4 0.4
Fatalities

In 2020, 13 fatalities resulted from accidents involving Canadian-registered airplanes and helicopters (excluding ultralights), yielding a rate of 0.5 fatalities per 100 000 hours flown. This fatality rate is substantially lower than the 2019 rate of 1.1, and below the average yearly rate of 1.0 from 2010 to 2019. Like the accident rate and fatal accident rate, the fatality rate per 100 000 hours flown has shown a downward trend since 2010 (Kendall’s τb = −0.5636, p = 0.0158). The rate of change (Sen’s estimate) is −0.096 fatalities per 100 000 hours flown per year.

Accident rate per 100 000 aircraft movements in Canada, for Canadian and foreign-registered aircraft

Although data describing the number of aircraft movements at major airports are published by Statistics Canada, in 2020 data about activity at small airports in Canada were no longer published or made available to the TSB. Without a complete picture to describe aircraft movements in Canada, the TSB cannot state an overall accident rate per 100 000 aircraft movements in Canada. As discussed in TSB Recommendation A19-05 (see above), and without movement data that are categorized by CARs subpart and aircraft type, it will be difficult for sector stakeholders to assess risks and determine if mitigation strategies being carried out to improve safety are actually working.

Dangerous goods released

Only 1 accident in 2020 was reported to involve a release of dangerous goods (Table 1). This is lower than the numbers for the preceding several years, and below the average of 4.6 per year over the previous 10 years.

Accident events and phases

For each reported accident, the TSB records 1 or more safety-significant events that occurred, and the phase of flight for each of these events. For example, if an airplane suffers engine power loss during takeoff (safety-significant event 1), and then returns to land and has a runway excursion during landing (safety-significant event 2), each of the two events and their phase of flight will be recorded for statistical purposes. Tables 11 through 14 show, by phase of flight, how many accidents occurred for each event type, from 2010 to 2020. Note that if a single accident involves more than one event within a phase of flight, that accident is only counted once in the phase total. Therefore, the total number of accidents for each event within a phase will not necessarily sum to the total number of accidents for a phase. For example, in the "takeoff" phase, if an accident involves both "loss of control" and "power loss" events, the accident is counted once in each event category within the phase, but only once in the overall phase total. As well, approximately 30% of accidents from 2010 to 2020 involved events in more than a single phase of flight, so the number of accidents shown in the tables, and in figures 9 and 10, sum to more than the total number of accidents.

Figures 9 and 10 show the number of airplane and helicopter accidents by phase of flight and event category. Over the past 11 years (2010 to 2020), the distribution of airplane accidents (Figure 9) shows more accidents having events during the landing phase (56% of airplane accidents) or takeoff phase (24%) than in other phases of flight. Helicopter accidents (Figure 10) had events occurring more often during the landing (43%), manoeuveringFootnote 14 (24%), and en route (20%) phases of flight. Note that for airplanes, although the landing phase is associated with the largest number of accidents, the en route, takeoff, and approach phases are associated with larger numbers of fatal accidents, and manoeuvering with the largest proportion of fatal accidents. Similarly, for helicopters, the en route and manoeuvering phases are linked to more fatal accidents than are the approach and landing phases.

Figure 9. Airplane accidents having events in selected phases of flight, 2010 to 2020
Image
Airplane accidents having events in selected  phases of flight, 2010 to 2020
Figure 9. Data table
Airplane accidents having events in selected phases of flight, 2010 to 2020
Phase of flight All accidents  Fatal accidents 
Standing / Taxiing  177 9
Takeoff  495 55
En route  311 73
Manoeuvering  126 38
Approach  272 48
Landing  1142 32
Post-impact  298 76
Figure 10. Helicopter accidents having events in selected phases of flight, 2010 to 2020
Image
Helicopter accidents having  events in selected phases of flight, 2010 to 2020
Figure 10. Data table
Helicopter accidents having events in selected phases of flight, 2010 to 2020
Phase of flight All accidents  Fatal accidents 
Standing / Taxiing  25 0
Takeoff  59 6
En route  65 21
Manoeuvering  80 16
Approach  37 2
Landing  139 7
Post-impact  45 6

Overview of incidents

Incident counts

In 2020, 420 air transportation incidents were reported under the TSB Regulations (Table 9). This represents a decrease of 54% from the 915 that were reported in 2019, and is 47% below the average of 790 incidents per year between 2010 and 2019. The apparent increase in incidents between 2015 and 2019 is partly explained by the introduction of new regulations that became effective July 1, 2014. Under these reporting requirements, air transportation incidents to be reported to the TSB were expanded to include aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight greater than 2250 kg (formerly 5700 kg) and aircraft being operated under an air operator certificate issued under CARs Part VII—Commercial Air Services. However, because of 2020 travel restrictions, these same commercially-operated aircraft were the most likely to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused general reductions in flying activity on the part of most operators. Therefore it is logical that the number of reported incidents would show a greater percentage decline compared to the number of accidents (discussed earlier).

Overall, 2020 reversed the previous trend of reported incidents gradually increasing from 2014 through 2019. While declared emergency is still the largest category of incident in 2020 (Figure 11), it should be noted that this category is somewhat a catch-all category for incidents where an emergency is declared and no other primary category (as set out in the TSB Regulations) applies. Risk of collision / loss of separation (ROC/LOS) incidents decreased in proportion from a peak of 18% of all incidents in 2017 to just over 11% of incidents in 2020. Incidents involving engine failure remained steady in 2020 at about 12% of all incidents, as has been the case since 2015. Amongst the 24% of ‘other’ incident types, crew were reported to have been unable to perform their duties 34 times, or in 8% of all reportable incidents in the year. This category includes both flight crew and cabin crew.

Figure 11. Reported air transportation incidents, by type, 2020
Image
Reported air transportation  incidents, by type, 2020
Figure 11. Data table
Reported air transportation incidents, by type, 2020
Incident type Number  Percentage 
Declared emergency  190 45%
Risk of collision / Loss of separation  48 11%
Engine failure  50 12%
Smoke / Fire  25 6%
Collision  8 2%
Other incident type  99 24%

The majority of air transportation incidents in 2020 (318) occurred in Canada and involved Canadian-registered aircraft (Table 1). However, 66 incidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft occurred outside Canada in 2020. While this count is lower than the 181 such incidents in 2019, the trend over the previous five years saw a sharp increase to a peak of 181 in 2017 and again in 2019, and contrasts with an average of 97 per year in the previous 10 years (2010 to 2019). Declared emergency and risk of collision/loss of separation (ROC/LOS) were the two most common incident types involving Canadian-registered aircraft outside of Canada. Both of these incident types, while not showing a straight-line trend over the 11-year period of this report, have increased in frequency in a statistically significant manner in the 5 years leading up to 2020. The TSB will continue to monitor these trends moving forward. The increase in reportable incidents generally is at least partially linked to improvements in reporting culture in the airline industry, and the adoption of safety management systems by many smaller commercial operators (in addition to all of the major Canadian airlines), and the increased use of electronic flight bags and portable devices, both of which make it easier for pilots to report incidents.

In part due to reporting requirements laid out in the TSB Regulations, commercial operations were the source of 93% of the incidents reported to the TSB in 2020 (Table 9). More than half (56%) of these involved Canadian-registered airliners operating under CARs Subpart 705 (airline operations). There were 219 incidents reported in 2020 involving Canadian-registered airliners, down from a peak of 614 in 2017, and 55% fewer than the average of 491 incidents per year 2010 to 2019.

Foreign air operators (CARs 701) were involved in just 32 incidents in 2020, or about 8% of all commercial incidents. This is fewer than the 86 incidents recorded in 2019, and was largely because of the reduced transborder and international passenger traffic brought about by COVID-19 restrictions.

Data tables

Table 1. Reportable air transportation occurrences, by type of occurrence, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Accidents 288 257 291 276 249 251 230 240 201 227 170
Accidents in Canada involving Canadian-registered aircraft 273 241 267 262 238 232 214 222 180 210 165
Accidents outside Canada involving Canadian-registered aircraft 1 6 8 4 4 10 8 11 11 8 5
Accidents in Canada involving foreign-registered aircraft 14 10 17 10 7 9 8 7 11 10 0
Accidents1 288 257 291 276 249 251 230 240 201 227 170
Commercial 109 99 92 84 82 74 63 97 66 83 54
Airliner (CARs 705) 6 4 5 7 4 9 1 9 8 7 4
Commuter (CARs 704) 7 6 5 3 2 3 3 5 1 4 3
Air taxi (CARs 703) 45 38 33 33 34 23 26 28 23 26 13
Aerial work (CARs 702) 29 27 26 21 17 18 16 18 17 21 13
Foreign air operator (CARs 701) 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 4 3 1 0
Flight training units (CARs 406) 19 19 19 17 25 20 17 32 13 25 20
Other commercial 2 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 1
Private 165 149 185 179 159 172 164 142 134 143 114
Private operators (CARs 604) 2 5 3 4 3 0 5 1 5 4 2
Recreational 162 142 181 175 156 165 152 134 124 133 109
Other private 1 3 1 0 0 7 8 7 7 6 3
State 5 2 3 6 4 1 0 0 2 1 1
Other/Unknown 10 8 12 9 5 5 3 2 0 0 1
Accidents1 288 257 291 276 249 251 230 240 201 227 170
Airplane 220 201 205 212 176 197 174 178 153 176 133
Helicopter 31 36 41 27 34 33 28 27 26 28 16
Ultralight 30 17 36 23 32 17 22 25 18 18 17
Other2 7 3 9 15 8 7 6 10 4 6 4
Aircraft involved in accidents1,3 290 261 296 280 253 259 234 247 207 230 172
Airplane 222 204 209 215 179 202 178 184 159 178 135
Helicopters 31 36 42 27 34 33 28 27 26 28 16
Ultralights 30 17 36 23 32 17 22 25 18 18 17
Other2 7 4 9 15 8 7 6 11 4 6 4
Fatal accidents1 37 35 42 38 14 29 29 22 23 33 12
Airplane 29 23 25 25 12 20 22 18 17 27 7
Helicopter 3 8 7 6 0 5 2 2 4 3 2
Ultralight 3 3 8 4 2 4 4 1 2 3 3
Other2 2 1 2 4 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
Persons fatally injured in reportable accidents 72 66 63 65 21 47 45 34 38 70 16
Persons seriously injured in reportable accidents 35 49 48 22 35 31 18 33 28 31 17
Accidents in Canada involving foreign-registered aircraft 14 10 17 10 7 9 8 7 11 10 0
Fatal accidents 2 2 1 2 2 3 1 0 0 4 0
Persons fatally injured 2 2 1 2 4 4 7 0 0 11 0
Persons seriously injured 1 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 1 0
Occurrences with a dangerous good release 1 0 1 4 4 6 7 8 7 8 1
Incidents4 814 673 645 689 741 789 833 939 860 915 420
Incidents in Canada involving Canadian-registered aircraft 587 519 482 541 599 653 620 685 608 654 318
Incidents outside Canada involving Canadian-registered aircraft 78 54 48 38 55 58 117 181 161 181 66
Incidents in Canada involving foreign-registered aircraft 188 126 138 129 102 106 117 106 115 113 43
Incidents4 814 673 645 689 741 789 833 939 860 915 420
Risk of collision / Loss of separation 206 120 102 115 94 111 139 172 141 138 48
Declared emergency 310 275 266 294 313 333 311 348 340 366 190
Engine failure 87 95 92 83 104 110 110 98 91 103 50
Smoke/Fire 80 88 71 67 89 87 85 100 99 91 25
Collision 5 7 5 15 16 8 18 24 26 31 8
Other 126 88 109 115 125 140 170 197 163 186 99

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Breakdowns may not add up to totals. For example, when an occurrence involves an airplane and a helicopter, the occurrence is counted in each type, but only once in the total.
2 Includes balloons, gyroplanes, gliders, airships, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and similar aircraft types.
3 "Aircraft involved in accidents" are aircraft counts, all other data are accident counts.
4 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, reportable aviation incidents include a) aircraft having a maximum certificated take-off weight greater than 2250 kg (formerly 5700 kg); b) aircraft being operated under an air operator certificate issued under the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part VII.

Table 2. Air transportation occurrences involving Canadian-registered aircraft, by aircraft and operator type, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Accidents1,2 244 230 239 243 212 227 200 208 173 200 153
Airplane accidents 209 192 191 204 170 190 167 171 143 168 133
Commercial 77 71 62 58 55 51 42 71 46 66 45
Airliner (CARs 705) 6 4 5 7 4 9 1 9 8 7 4
Commuter (CARs 704) 6 4 5 3 1 3 3 5 1 4 3
Air taxi (CARs 703) 29 27 19 19 19 12 16 18 18 21 10
Aerial work (CARs 702) 18 14 14 12 8 10 7 12 6 11 8
Flight training units (CARs 406) 16 19 18 16 23 16 16 27 12 23 20
Other commercial 2 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Private 122 113 122 139 111 138 122 101 96 101 88
Private operators (CARs 604) 2 2 0 3 1 0 5 1 5 4 2
Recreational 119 110 121 136 110 132 114 97 90 94 83
Other private 1 2 1 0 0 6 4 3 2 3 3
State 3 2 1 2 3 1 0 0 2 1 0
Other/Unknown 8 6 6 7 2 1 3 0 0 0 0
Helicopter accidents 29 35 41 27 34 32 27 27 26 27 16
Commercial 27 26 28 22 26 23 18 22 17 16 9
Private 2 9 10 4 7 9 9 5 9 11 6
State 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Other/Unknown 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other aircraft accidents3 6 3 7 13 8 7 6 10 4 6 4
Fatal accidents1,2 32 30 33 32 10 23 24 21 21 26 9
Airplane accidents 28 21 25 24 10 18 21 18 17 23 7
Commercial 12 11 6 8 2 6 3 7 4 8 1
Airliner (CARs 705) 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Commuter (CARs 704) 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Air taxi (CARs 703) 7 6 3 5 1 3 1 1 2 6 1
Aerial work (CARs 702) 4 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 0
Flight training units (CARs 406) 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 3 0 1 0
Other commercial 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private 15 10 17 14 8 13 18 11 13 15 6
Private operators (CARs 604) 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Recreational 15 10 17 13 8 13 16 10 13 15 6
Other private 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
State 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other/Unknown 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Helicopter accidents 3 8 7 6 0 5 2 2 4 3 2
Commercial 3 6 5 6 0 4 1 2 1 1 1
Private 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 3 2 1
State 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other/Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other aircraft accidents3 1 1 1 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
Persons fatally injured2 66 61 54 59 15 40 34 33 36 54 13
Persons seriously injured2 30 43 38 19 28 28 17 27 21 26 13
Incidents2,4 665 573 530 579 654 711 737 866 769 835 384
Risk of collision / Loss of separation 179 106 92 105 84 101 127 159 134 128 47
Declared emergency 238 224 200 231 277 290 263 316 298 318 170
Engine failure 67 87 77 70 94 102 102 88 79 96 44
Smoke/Fire 69 67 59 55 76 79 75 95 85 83 21
Collision 4 7 4 14 15 7 16 23 21 27 8
Other 108 82 98 104 108 132 154 185 152 183 94
Accidents involving ultralight aircraft 30 17 36 23 31 16 22 25 18 18 17
Fatal accidents 3 3 8 4 2 3 4 1 2 3 3
Fatalities 4 3 8 4 2 3 4 1 2 5 3
Serious injuries 4 5 6 3 6 3 1 6 3 4 4

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Breakdowns may not add up to totals. For example, when an occurrence involves an airplane and a helicopter, the occurrence is counted in each type, but only once in the total.
2 Excludes ultralight aircraft.
3 Includes balloons, gyroplanes, gliders, airships, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and similar aircraft types.
4 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, reportable aviation incidents include a) aircraft having a maximum certificated take-off weight greater than 2250 kg (formerly 5700 kg); b) aircraft being operated under an air operator certificate issued under the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part VII.

Table 3. Rate of accidents per 100 000 hours flown, by Canadian-registered aircraft¹ in Canada and abroad, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Accidents 238 227 232 231 204 222 194 198 169 195 149
Fatal accidents 31 29 32 30 10 23 23 20 21 26 9
Fatalities 65 59 53 57 15 40 33 32 36 54 13
Hours flown2 (thousands) 3993 4285 4394 4294 4271 4323 4472 4718 5030 4889 2550
Accidents per 100 000 hours 6.0 5.3 5.3 5.4 4.8 5.1 4.3 4.2 3.4 4.0 5.8
Fatal accidents per 100 000 hours 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4
Fatalities per 100 000 hours 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.3 0.4 0.9 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.1 0.5

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Canadian-registered aircraft, excluding ultralights, balloons, gyroplanes, gliders, airships, hang gliders and similar aircraft types.
2 Hours flown in 2018 to 2020 are estimates. Source: Transport Canada, email to TSB on 2021-03-02.

Table 4. Persons fatally injured in air transportation accidents, by type of operation, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Persons fatally injured 72 66 63 65 21 47 45 34 38 70 16
In Canada, involving Canadian-registered aircraft 70 63 61 57 15 39 35 32 28 57 16
Outside Canada, involving Canadian-registered aircraft 0 1 1 6 2 4 3 2 10 2 0
In Canada, involving foreign-registered aircraft 2 2 1 2 4 4 7 0 0 11 0
Persons fatally injured 72 66 63 65 21 47 45 34 38 70 16
Commercial 36 40 18 29 4 20 6 15 9 25 2
Airliner (CARs 705) 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Commuter (CARs 704) 1 2 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Air taxi (CARs 703) 28 16 12 19 2 12 1 1 5 21 1
Aerial work (CARs 702) 7 8 3 4 2 6 2 7 4 3 1
Foreign air operator (CARs 701) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Flight training units (CARs 406) 0 2 1 1 0 2 3 5 0 1 0
Other commercial 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Private 32 25 37 33 17 28 39 19 29 45 14
Private operators (CARs 604) 0 2 0 1 0 0 4 0 1 0 0
Recreational 32 23 37 32 17 28 27 17 29 43 14
Other private 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 2 0 2 0
State 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other/Unknown 4 3 7 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Crew members fatally injured 40 37 40 44 15 29 25 26 20 34 11
Commercial 17 20 11 21 3 10 3 11 3 10 2
Airliner (CARs 705) 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Commuter (CARs 704) 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Air taxi (CARs 703) 11 7 7 14 1 4 1 1 0 8 1
Aerial work (CARs 702) 5 5 2 4 2 4 1 4 3 1 1
Foreign air operator (CARs 701) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Flight training units (CARs 406) 0 2 1 1 0 2 1 5 0 1 0
Other commercial 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Private 22 16 25 21 12 20 22 15 17 24 9
Private operators (CARs 604) 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Recreational 22 14 25 20 12 20 18 14 17 22 9
Other private 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 2 0
State 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other/Unknown 1 3 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Passengers fatally injured 31 29 22 20 6 18 20 8 18 36 5
Commercial 18 20 6 8 1 10 3 4 6 15 0
Airliner (CARs 705) 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Commuter (CARs 704) 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Air taxi (CARs 703) 16 9 5 5 1 8 0 0 5 13 0
Aerial work (CARs 702) 2 3 0 0 0 2 1 3 1 2 0
Foreign air operator (CARs 701) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Flight training units (CARs 406) 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Other commercial 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private 10 9 12 11 5 8 17 4 12 21 5
Private operators (CARs 604) 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
Recreational 10 9 12 11 5 8 9 3 12 21 5
Other private 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 0
State 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other/Unknown 3 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Persons on the ground fatally injured 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Persons fatally injured 72 66 63 65 21 47 45 34 38 70 16
Airplane 59 46 44 46 19 35 37 27 30 60 11
Helicopter 7 15 9 12 0 8 3 5 6 5 2
Ultralight 4 3 8 4 2 4 4 1 2 5 3
Other aircraft type 2 2 2 7 0 0 1 1 0 2 0
Data extracted 9 April 2021
Table 5. Persons seriously injured in air transportation accidents, by type of operation, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Persons seriously injured 35 49 48 22 35 31 18 33 28 31 17
In Canada, involving Canadian-registered aircraft 34 46 39 22 34 28 17 31 23 27 14
Outside Canada, involving Canadian-registered Aircraft 0 2 5 0 0 3 1 2 1 3 3
In Canada, involving foreign-registered aircraft 1 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 1 0
Persons seriously injured 35 49 48 22 35 31 18 33 28 31 17
Commercial 17 31 22 11 10 15 8 13 17 13 3
Airliner (CARs 705) 1 10 1 0 0 3 2 8 4 1 0
Commuter (CARs 704) 4 7 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Air taxi (CARs 703) 6 9 15 6 5 8 4 0 9 8 0
Aerial work (CARs 702) 5 5 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1
Foreign air operator (CARs 701) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Flight training units (CARs 406) 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 2 1
Other commercial 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Private 16 18 26 10 23 16 10 20 11 18 13
Private operators (CARs 604) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Recreational 15 18 26 10 23 14 9 19 7 18 13
Other private 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 3 0 0
State 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Other/Unknown 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crew members seriously injured 22 18 24 13 23 17 8 22 19 16 12
Commercial 8 6 6 4 5 6 3 8 10 2 2
Airliner (CARs 705) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 3 0 0
Commuter (CARs 704) 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Air taxi (CARs 703) 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 0 3 0 0
Aerial work (CARs 702) 4 4 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 1 1
Foreign air operator (CARs 701) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Flight training units (CARs 406) 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 1 1
Other commercial 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Private 12 12 18 8 17 11 5 14 9 14 9
Private operators (CARs 604) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Recreational 11 12 18 8 17 9 5 14 6 14 9
Other private 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0
State 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Other/Unknown 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Passengers seriously injured 12 30 23 8 11 14 8 11 9 13 4
Commercial 9 24 15 6 5 9 4 5 7 9 1
Airliner (CARs 705) 1 10 0 0 0 2 2 5 1 0 0
Commuter (CARs 704) 3 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Air taxi (CARs 703) 4 7 14 4 3 6 2 0 6 7 0
Aerial work (CARs 702) 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0
Foreign air operator (CARs 701) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Flight training units (CARs 406) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Other commercial 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private 3 6 8 2 5 5 4 6 2 4 3
Private operators (CARs 604) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Recreational 3 6 8 2 5 5 4 5 1 4 3
Other private 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
State 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other/Unknown 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Persons on the ground seriously injured 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 2 1
Persons seriously injured 35 49 48 22 35 31 18 33 28 31 17
Airplane 28 36 31 13 21 23 10 23 23 26 9
Helicopter 2 8 7 6 6 5 6 3 2 1 3
Ultralight 4 5 6 3 7 3 1 6 3 4 4
Other aircraft type 1 0 4 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1
Data extracted 9 April 2021
Table 6. Accidents involving Canadian-registered airplanes and helicopters, by type of operation,1,2 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Airplane accidents 209 192 191 204 170 190 167 171 143 168 133
Training 28 28 27 24 27 16 20 31 14 27 23
Pleasure/Travel 108 102 109 127 96 125 112 92 83 83 74
Business 6 7 4 2 9 1 3 1 7 5 4
Forest fire management 2 1 2 3 2 2 1 0 1 2 1
Test/Demonstration/Ferry 6 4 4 4 5 2 2 4 1 3 2
Aerial application 10 4 3 7 4 5 6 6 5 6 8
Inspection 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
Air transport 37 35 28 26 22 22 16 27 26 29 15
Air ambulance 2 1 1 0 1 0 3 1 1 1 1
Sightseeing 1 2 6 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 0
Other/Unknown 9 10 8 11 4 16 5 8 6 10 5
Fatal airplane accidents 28 21 25 24 10 18 21 18 17 23 7
Training 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 0 1 1
Pleasure/Travel 15 10 16 11 7 12 15 9 12 12 5
Business 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
Forest fire management 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Test/Demonstration/Ferry 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
Aerial application 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0
Inspection 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Air transport 7 8 4 5 1 2 1 2 2 6 1
Air ambulance 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sightseeing 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Other/Unknown 2 1 3 3 0 2 0 3 2 2 0
Helicopter accidents 29 35 41 27 34 32 27 27 26 27 16
Training 0 2 1 1 2 5 1 7 1 2 0
Pleasure/Travel 2 9 8 2 7 8 9 4 6 9 6
Business 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0
Forest fire management 1 2 1 3 0 2 0 2 2 1 1
Test/Demonstration/Ferry 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Aerial application 3 1 5 0 1 2 1 3 1 3 2
Inspection 1 2 2 2 3 0 1 0 1 0 0
Air transport 15 13 9 8 18 10 7 3 3 9 2
Air ambulance 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Sightseeing 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0
Other/Unknown 6 5 10 7 2 4 8 6 8 2 5
Fatal helicopter accidents 3 8 7 6 0 5 2 2 4 3 2
Training 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Pleasure/Travel 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 1
Business 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Forest fire management 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Test/Demonstration/Ferry 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Aerial application 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Inspection 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Air transport 2 1 1 3 0 3 0 0 0 1 0
Air ambulance 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sightseeing 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other/Unknown 0 1 3 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Canadian-registered aircraft, excluding ultralights, balloons, gyroplanes, gliders, airships, hang gliders and similar aircraft types.
2 Breakdowns may not add up to totals. For example, when an occurrence involves a business airplane and a training airplane, the occurrence is counted in each type, but only once in the total.

Table 7. Fatal air transportation accidents and fatalities in Canada and outside Canada, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Accidents 288 257 291 276 249 251 230 240 201 227 170
Newfoundland and Labrador 3 3 5 3 5 6 5 4 4 3 2
Prince Edward Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 7 5 5 5 3 6 2 3 2 1 1
New Brunswick 5 3 3 2 6 2 5 7 1 8 2
Quebec 65 58 71 66 69 51 34 44 31 50 33
Ontario 71 63 67 72 67 74 50 62 53 53 39
Manitoba 27 17 18 13 12 14 17 10 7 17 9
Saskatchewan 18 18 9 19 12 13 10 13 13 12 17
Alberta 25 22 35 29 33 23 38 35 32 29 25
British Columbia 47 43 54 51 30 42 53 39 36 38 34
Yukon 3 8 8 4 4 6 2 4 4 3 0
Northwest Territories 9 6 5 3 3 2 3 2 5 4 1
Nunavut 7 4 3 4 1 2 3 3 1 1 2
Other airspace under Canadian air traffic control 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Outside Canada 1 6 8 4 4 10 8 11 11 8 5
Fatal accidents 37 35 42 38 14 29 29 22 23 33 12
Newfoundland and Labrador 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1
Prince Edward Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
Quebec 10 5 10 5 2 7 7 4 2 9 4
Ontario 9 6 10 9 5 6 5 4 6 6 1
Manitoba 1 1 3 2 0 1 1 3 0 1 0
Saskatchewan 0 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 0 0
Alberta 2 4 6 4 1 3 4 3 5 5 3
British Columbia 7 10 9 10 2 4 8 3 4 5 3
Yukon 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
Northwest Territories 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Nunavut 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other airspace under Canadian air traffic control 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Outside Canada 0 1 1 3 1 4 1 2 4 1 0
Persons fatally injured 72 66 63 65 21 47 45 34 38 70 16
Newfoundland and Labrador 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 1
Prince Edward Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 0
Quebec 28 9 11 5 2 16 15 6 4 14 5
Ontario 14 9 19 19 8 10 5 9 8 16 1
Manitoba 1 1 4 5 0 1 2 4 0 3 0
Saskatchewan 0 7 5 3 2 3 2 3 1 0 0
Alberta 4 5 6 5 1 4 4 5 6 8 6
British Columbia 15 16 15 17 3 7 12 4 6 12 3
Yukon 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
Northwest Territories 3 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 0
Nunavut 1 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other airspace under Canadian air traffic control 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Outside Canada 0 1 1 6 2 4 3 2 10 2 0
Data extracted 9 April 2021
Table 8. Accidents and fatal accidents in Canada and outside Canada involving Canadian-registered aircraft,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Accidents 244 230 239 243 212 227 200 208 173 200 153
Newfoundland and Labrador 3 3 5 3 4 6 4 3 2 2 2
Prince Edward Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 7 3 3 5 2 5 2 2 1 1 1
New Brunswick 4 3 3 2 6 2 5 5 1 8 2
Quebec 52 52 52 57 57 44 28 39 28 41 29
Ontario 55 56 54 59 53 66 43 51 44 46 32
Manitoba 25 16 15 13 11 13 17 10 7 12 9
Saskatchewan 18 17 8 18 10 12 10 12 13 12 16
Alberta 24 18 30 27 31 21 36 30 27 27 23
British Columbia 38 39 46 44 27 39 43 35 30 36 32
Yukon 3 7 7 4 4 6 1 4 2 2 0
Northwest Territories 8 6 5 3 2 2 3 2 5 4 1
Nunavut 6 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 1 1 2
Other airspace under Canadian air traffic control 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Outside Canada 1 6 8 4 4 10 6 11 11 8 4
Fatal accidents 32 30 33 32 10 23 24 21 21 26 9
Newfoundland and Labrador 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
Prince Edward Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
Quebec 9 5 4 3 1 6 5 4 2 5 3
Ontario 8 4 9 6 3 5 3 4 5 5 0
Manitoba 1 1 3 2 0 0 1 3 0 1 0
Saskatchewan 0 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 0 0
Alberta 2 3 5 4 1 3 4 3 4 5 2
British Columbia 5 9 8 9 2 2 7 2 4 5 3
Yukon 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Northwest Territories 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Nunavut 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other airspace under Canadian air traffic control 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Outside Canada 0 1 1 3 1 4 1 2 4 1 0
Persons fatally injured 66 61 54 59 15 40 34 33 36 54 13
Newfoundland and Labrador 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7 1
Prince Edward Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 0
Quebec 27 9 5 3 1 15 7 6 4 8 4
Ontario 12 7 18 16 4 9 3 9 7 9 0
Manitoba 1 1 4 5 0 0 2 4 0 3 0
Saskatchewan 0 7 5 3 2 3 2 3 1 0 0
Alberta 4 4 5 5 1 4 4 5 5 8 5
British Columbia 13 15 14 16 3 4 11 3 6 12 3
Yukon 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
Northwest Territories 2 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 0
Nunavut 1 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other airspace under Canadian air traffic control 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Outside Canada 0 1 1 6 2 4 3 2 10 2 0

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Excludes ultralight aircraft

Table 9. Reportable aircraft incidents, by type of operation,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Incidents1 814 673 645 689 741 789 833 939 860 915 420
Risk of collision / Loss of separation 206 120 102 115 94 111 139 172 141 138 48
Declared emergency 310 275 266 294 313 333 311 348 340 366 190
Engine failure 87 95 92 83 104 110 110 98 91 103 50
Smoke/Fire 80 88 71 67 89 87 85 100 99 91 25
Collision 5 7 5 15 16 8 18 24 26 31 8
Control difficulties 32 31 33 25 40 29 35 34 41 25 25
Crew unable to perform duties 51 26 40 58 37 46 66 78 57 87 34
Dangerous goods-related 1 0 1 3 4 0 2 0 2 0 0
Depressurization 11 16 15 14 12 16 14 21 13 23 5
Fuel shortage 9 6 7 2 6 17 15 17 10 5 3
Failure to remain in landing area 12 7 10 9 20 17 19 22 11 9 10
Incorrect fuel 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 3 4
Slung load released 9 1 1 4 5 14 15 21 23 28 11
Transmission or gearbox failure 1 1 2 0 1 1 3 1 0 1 0
Incidents1,2 814 673 645 689 741 789 833 939 860 915 420
Commercial 781 637 609 656 699 741 785 888 815 869 392
Airliner (CARs 705) 520 446 409 450 429 437 490 614 547 572 219
Commuter (CARs 704) 87 76 83 95 106 87 79 73 60 67 50
Air taxi (CARs 703) 28 28 22 30 79 114 104 102 90 104 59
Aerial work (CARs 702) 28 15 11 12 34 48 43 55 55 59 35
Foreign air operator (CARs 701) 170 109 117 113 82 75 94 80 91 86 32
Flight training units (CARs 406) 9 4 3 4 5 6 12 11 7 13 6
Other commercial 3 2 1 1 0 2 5 1 2 4 2
Private 34 39 35 31 37 52 45 56 51 56 27
Private operators (CARs 604) 15 19 20 18 22 19 20 32 19 26 12
Recreational 19 20 15 13 14 15 13 11 9 9 6
Other private 0 1 0 0 1 18 12 13 23 22 10
State 23 13 20 20 13 15 8 15 11 8 5
Other/Unknown 6 5 4 4 12 15 22 13 12 12 2
Incidents1,2 814 673 645 689 741 789 833 939 860 915 420
Airplane 789 655 633 673 715 749 795 892 819 842 399
Helicopter 32 20 17 20 30 47 38 52 43 77 21
Ultralight/Other aircraft type3 2 0 0 0 3 8 7 4 4 6 0
Aircraft involved in incidents1,4 977 776 742 800 830 887 957 1063 970 1016 450
Airplanes 943 756 725 780 797 832 912 1006 921 931 429
Helicopters 32 20 17 20 30 47 38 53 45 79 21
Ultralight / Other aircraft type3 2 0 0 0 3 8 7 4 4 6 0
Incidents1 814 673 645 689 741 789 833 939 860 915 420
Newfoundland and Labrador 30 14 17 29 22 30 31 27 35 29 11
Prince Edward Island 0 1 0 2 0 1 4 1 2 1 1
Nova Scotia 25 19 17 11 22 19 17 22 28 28 13
New Brunswick 10 7 7 7 8 9 9 4 7 11 3
Quebec 108 126 107 122 89 116 109 139 141 147 75
Ontario 176 174 155 166 157 152 166 230 144 166 88
Manitoba 51 31 31 31 51 54 47 49 43 44 26
Saskatchewan 19 11 18 27 32 21 25 19 16 24 15
Alberta 84 82 81 103 98 117 110 107 104 106 43
British Columbia 156 76 101 99 132 154 137 101 123 129 56
Yukon 4 3 4 5 6 6 5 5 2 8 1
Northwest Territories 21 30 17 16 25 17 9 20 22 9 11
Nunavut 21 19 19 10 20 15 15 15 19 15 4
Other airspace under Canadian air traffic control 31 27 23 23 24 20 32 19 14 17 7
Outside Canada 78 54 48 38 55 58 117 181 161 181 66

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, reportable aviation incidents include a) aircraft having a maximum certificated take-off weight greater than 2250 kg (formerly 5700 kg); b) aircraft being operated under an air operator certificate issued under the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part VII.
2 Breakdowns may not add up to totals. For example, when an occurrence involves an airplane and a helicopter, the occurrence is counted in each type, but only once in the total.
3 Includes balloons, gyroplanes, gliders, airships, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and similar aircraft types.
4 "Aircraft involved in accidents" are aircraft counts; all other data are accident counts.

Table 10. Reportable incidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft, 2010-2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Incidents1 665 573 530 579 654 711 737 866 769 835 384
Risk of collision / Loss of separation 179 106 92 105 84 101 127 159 134 128 47
Declared emergency 238 224 200 231 277 290 263 316 298 318 170
Engine failure 67 87 77 70 94 102 102 88 79 96 44
Smoke/Fire 69 67 59 55 76 79 75 95 85 83 21
Collision 4 7 4 14 15 7 16 23 21 27 8
Control difficulties 24 27 31 22 36 28 30 33 40 25 24
Crew unable to perform duties 50 26 38 56 35 44 65 74 55 86 30
Dangerous goods-related 1 0 1 3 3 0 2 0 2 0 0
Depressurization 10 15 13 10 10 14 13 19 11 23 5
Fuel shortage 6 5 4 2 3 15 11 16 5 4 3
Failure to remain in landing area 7 7 9 7 17 17 14 18 10 8 10
Incorrect fuel 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 3 4
Slung load released 9 1 1 4 4 13 15 21 23 28 11
Transmission or gearbox failure 1 1 1 0 0 1 3 1 0 1 0
Incidents by operator type1,2 665 573 530 579 654 711 737 866 769 835 384
Commercial 641 547 504 552 622 674 705 825 741 799 362
Airliner (CARs 705) 519 443 409 449 427 436 489 613 546 571 217
Commuter (CARs 704) 87 76 83 95 106 87 79 73 60 67 50
Air taxi (CARs 703) 28 28 21 30 79 114 104 102 90 104 58
Aerial work (CARs 702) 28 15 11 12 31 47 43 55 55 59 35
Flight training units (CARs 406) 9 4 3 4 5 6 12 11 7 13 6
Other commercial 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 3 1
Private 29 29 28 25 29 40 37 48 33 45 22
Private operators (CARs 604) 12 11 14 13 17 16 20 32 19 25 12
Recreational 17 18 14 12 11 14 11 11 8 9 6
Other private 0 1 0 0 1 10 6 5 6 12 5
State 19 13 17 19 11 15 6 13 10 8 5
Other/Unknown 5 3 2 4 9 14 14 10 12 10 1
Incidents1,2 665 573 530 579 654 711 737 866 769 835 384
Airplane 642 555 519 563 631 672 699 819 728 762 363
Helicopter 31 20 16 20 27 46 38 52 43 77 21
Ultralight / Other aircraft type3 1 0 0 0 3 8 6 4 4 6 0
Aircraft involved in incidents1,4 811 667 619 681 730 800 843 981 874 927 413
Airplanes 779 647 603 661 700 746 799 924 825 842 392
Helicopters 31 20 16 20 27 46 38 53 45 79 21
Ultralight / Other aircraft type3 1 0 0 0 3 8 6 4 4 6 0
Incidents by province/territory1 665 573 530 579 654 711 737 866 769 835 384
Newfoundland and Labrador 13 10 10 17 13 20 22 22 22 15 8
Prince Edward Island 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 1 2 1 1
Nova Scotia 19 14 9 9 19 17 12 17 20 26 11
New Brunswick 8 5 7 4 6 9 9 3 6 8 2
Quebec 89 104 84 96 81 103 99 127 122 125 68
Ontario 141 146 127 142 139 141 148 202 129 146 84
Manitoba 45 30 30 27 45 51 44 47 38 44 25
Saskatchewan 15 11 14 26 27 19 25 18 14 24 13
Alberta 74 76 75 93 93 110 103 102 97 100 38
British Columbia 134 68 87 93 125 137 118 100 114 124 52
Yukon 3 3 3 3 5 6 5 3 2 8 1
Northwest Territories 19 30 17 16 25 17 8 20 21 8 10
Nunavut 17 16 15 10 16 14 15 14 16 14 3
Other airspace under Canadian air traffic control 10 6 4 4 5 8 8 9 5 11 2
Outside Canada 78 54 48 38 55 58 117 181 161 181 66

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, reportable aviation incidents include a) aircraft having a maximum certificated take-off weight greater than 2250 kg (formerly 5700 kg); b) aircraft being operated under an air operator certificate issued under the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part VII.
2 Breakdowns may not add up to totals. For example, when an occurrence involves an airplane and a helicopter, the occurrence is counted in each type, but only once in the total.
3 Includes balloons, gyroplanes, gliders, airships, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and similar aircraft types.
4 "Aircraft involved in accidents" are aircraft counts; all other data are accident counts.

Table 11. Airplane accidents by phase of flight and selected event category,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total
Standing/Taxiing 17 18 17 23 16 19 16 20 13 14 4 177
Collision with object 6 6 7 8 6 3 5 9 6 5 1 62
Collision with moving aircraft 1 1 2 1 3 5 4 3 3 2 1 26
Nosedown/Overturned 4 3 3 5 1 3 2 2 0 1 0 24
Landing gear collapse/retracted 2 3 0 2 1 2 1 3 1 2 0 17
Loss of control 3 0 3 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 11
Other events 8 9 9 11 9 12 13 14 10 10 3 108
Takeoff 54 41 54 40 48 53 47 45 35 48 30 495
Collision with terrain 15 11 21 11 10 18 13 15 7 14 4 139
Loss of control 15 12 17 7 18 9 11 7 5 11 3 115
Collision with object 13 9 17 8 11 18 12 8 11 17 12 136
Takeoff/landing event 13 13 19 9 11 11 14 16 11 11 8 136
Power loss 14 11 6 13 16 12 10 11 5 12 6 116
Other events 35 28 33 26 34 50 30 35 31 38 28 368
En route 32 31 30 34 23 29 19 34 27 28 24 311
Power loss 13 14 15 15 14 8 12 15 11 12 8 137
Precautionary/forced landing / Ditching 11 13 9 8 7 5 4 5 6 8 4 80
Collision with terrain 8 8 7 10 5 4 5 5 5 6 3 66
Component/system related 4 1 2 3 2 3 0 3 1 2 3 24
Other events 20 18 14 18 14 26 8 24 22 21 19 204
Manoeuvering 11 12 11 12 4 11 13 11 12 15 14 126
Collision with terrain 5 6 8 7 1 7 6 7 4 5 6 62
Loss of control 3 1 4 1 1 2 4 5 4 0 3 28
Collision with object 7 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 5 3 28
Power loss 1 3 1 0 0 1 2 1 1 1 2 13
Other events 3 9 2 5 3 4 6 2 8 12 7 61
Approach 29 23 21 32 28 25 17 21 25 27 24 272
Collision with terrain 11 7 6 6 7 10 4 7 5 8 1 72
Power loss 7 2 0 11 6 2 3 6 6 5 6 54
Collision with object 6 8 1 7 9 7 6 7 3 2 5 61
Component/system related 2 5 3 3 4 2 0 2 3 3 2 29
Precautionary/forced landing / Ditching 5 2 2 7 7 1 1 4 5 7 4 45
Loss of control 6 3 4 5 1 4 1 0 1 5 0 30
Other events 9 8 14 10 9 18 12 13 18 21 18 150
Landing 112 113 111 116 99 118 113 95 92 93 80 1142
Missed or went off runway 24 27 26 28 14 30 30 21 17 23 20 260
Collision with object 25 28 26 18 20 29 24 23 29 25 18 265
Landing gear collapsed/retracted 26 24 22 25 17 27 27 23 19 17 18 245
Nosedown/Overturned 18 17 20 20 17 27 33 29 23 21 19 244
Loss of control 20 17 27 19 22 2 3 6 3 4 0 123
Hard landing 23 22 20 13 14 10 17 19 16 17 7 178
Collision with terrain 18 16 18 12 21 20 12 7 11 10 8 153
Wheels-up landing 7 3 7 10 7 10 9 4 5 7 1 70
Precautionary/forced landing / Ditching 5 3 9 11 5 12 18 18 7 7 9 104
Other events 46 49 42 45 28 77 77 50 58 53 53 578
Post-impact 20 11 19 13 16 37 57 41 44 31 9 298
Fire/Explosion/Fumes 15 6 7 7 6 13 9 5 7 5 4 84
Other events 5 5 12 6 12 24 49 37 38 26 5 219

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Breakdowns do not add up to totals. For example, in the take-off phase, if an occurrence involves both "Loss of control" and "Power loss" events, the occurrence is counted in each event category, but only once in the phase total.

Table 12. Helicopter accidents, by selected event category and phase of flight,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total
Standing/Taxiing 0 6 4 1 4 2 0 1 4 3 0 25
Collision with terrain 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4
Loss of control 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 7
Collision with object 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 6
Other events 0 5 4 1 4 0 0 0 4 2 0 20
Takeoff 2 7 7 7 9 4 6 5 5 6 1 59
Loss of control 1 4 2 0 5 1 4 4 1 3 0 25
Collision with terrain 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 0 17
Collision with object 1 0 4 2 2 1 0 1 2 3 0 16
Power loss 0 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 5
Other events 1 1 2 2 4 1 3 2 2 4 1 23
En route 7 10 9 5 7 4 5 3 6 4 5 65
Collision with terrain 3 3 3 1 3 1 1 1 2 2 1 21
Power loss 3 2 3 1 1 1 3 0 1 1 1 17
Precautionary/forced landing / Ditching 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4
Component/system related 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 5
Other events 4 7 6 4 5 3 4 3 5 1 5 47
Manoeuvering 6 10 11 8 4 8 8 7 4 9 5 80
Collision with terrain 3 6 5 5 2 3 5 3 2 2 2 38
Loss of control 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 4 0 2 2 24
Collision with object 2 3 3 2 1 1 3 3 1 4 1 24
Operations related event 1 2 2 1 0 2 5 3 1 6 1 24
Power loss 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 9
Other events 1 3 6 2 2 5 5 5 2 7 4 42
Approach 4 6 7 3 3 3 5 2 2 1 1 37
Collision with terrain 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 7
Power loss 0 0 2 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 7
Loss of control 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 9
Collision with object 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 5
Other events 3 3 5 3 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 26
Landing 15 7 13 12 12 18 16 13 12 12 9 139
Hard landing 4 4 4 1 3 1 0 1 2 0 0 20
Collision with terrain 4 2 4 0 3 6 0 0 2 1 1 23
Loss of control 1 1 1 2 4 6 2 1 2 3 6 29
Collision with object 5 2 2 5 5 1 4 3 6 2 5 40
Other events 7 2 4 9 5 10 4 5 5 7 5 63
Post-impact 4 4 2 3 2 5 11 1 6 5 2 45
Fire/Explosion/Fumes 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 2 12
Other events 3 2 1 1 2 4 11 1 6 4 0 35

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Breakdowns do not add up to totals. For example, in the take-off phase, if an occurrence involves both "Loss of control" and "Power loss" events, the occurrence is counted in each event category, but only once in the phase total.

Table 13. Fatal airplane accidents, by phase of flight and selected event category,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total
Standing/Taxiing 0 1 1 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 1 9
Collision with object 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision with moving aircraft 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nosedown/Overturned 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Landing gear collapsed/retracted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Loss of control 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other events 0 1 1 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 1 9
Takeoff 6 4 6 4 2 9 5 6 5 7 1 55
Collision with terrain 2 1 4 3 0 4 4 5 2 5 0 30
Loss of control 1 2 2 2 1 4 4 2 2 2 0 22
Collision with object 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 7
Takeoff/landing event 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 6
Power loss 3 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 9
Other events 3 4 3 2 0 7 1 4 4 3 1 32
En route 9 9 8 9 3 7 5 5 6 10 2 73
Power loss 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 2 0 8
Precautionary/forced landing / Ditching 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 3
Collision with terrain 8 5 6 7 3 4 4 3 5 6 1 52
Component/system related 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Other events 4 4 2 5 1 6 2 4 5 7 1 41
Manoeuvering 2 1 4 3 2 4 5 4 5 4 4 38
Collision with terrain 1 1 4 2 1 4 4 4 3 4 3 31
Loss of control 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 2 4 0 1 13
Collision with object 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 6
Power loss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other events 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 3 2 1 12
Approach 10 6 5 5 1 5 4 4 4 4 0 48
Collision with terrain 6 4 3 5 0 3 3 3 2 2 0 31
Power loss 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Collision with object 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 7
Component/system related 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3
Precautionary/forced landing / Ditching 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Loss of control 5 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 10
Other events 4 1 4 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 0 22
Landing 3 5 3 3 4 4 5 0 1 4 0 32
Missed or went off runway 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Collision with object 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 6
Landing gear collapsed/retracted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nosedown/Overturned 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 9
Loss of control 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Hard landing 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Collision with terrain 2 2 3 2 2 2 4 0 0 1 0 18
Wheels-up landing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Precautionary/forced landing / Ditching 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Other events 1 1 2 0 2 1 3 0 1 2 0 13
Post-impact 13 6 8 8 4 10 9 5 8 4 1 76
Fire/Explosion/Fumes 12 4 6 7 3 10 7 4 6 3 1 63
Other events 1 2 2 1 2 0 2 1 2 1 0 14

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Breakdowns do not add up to totals. For example, in the takeoff phase, if an occurrence involves both "Loss of control" and "Power loss" events, the occurrence is counted in each event category, but only once in the phase total.

Table 14. Fatal helicopter accidents, by phase of flight and selected event category,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total
Standing/Taxiing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision with terrain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Loss of control 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision with object 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other events 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Takeoff 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 6
Loss of control 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision with terrain 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Collision with object 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Power loss 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Other events 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
En route 3 2 3 2 0 2 1 1 4 3 0 21
Collision with terrain 3 2 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 14
Power loss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Precautionary/forced landing / Ditching 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Component/system related 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Other events 2 1 2 2 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 13
Manoeuvering 0 4 3 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 16
Collision with terrain 0 3 1 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 10
Loss of control 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4
Collision with object 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3
Operations related event 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 5
Power loss 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Other events 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 8
Approach 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Collision with terrain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Power loss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Loss of control 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Collision with object 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other events 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Landing 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 7
Hard landing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision with terrain 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4
Loss of control 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Collision with object 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 4
Other events 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Post-impact 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 6
Fire/Explosion/Fumes 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 5
Other events 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Data extracted 9 April 2021

1 Breakdowns do not add up to totals. For example, in the take-off phase, if an occurrence involves both "Loss of control" and "Power loss" events, the occurrence is counted in each event category, but only once in the phase total.

Definitions

The following definitions apply to aviation occurrences that are required to be reported pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the TSB regulations.

Aviation occurrence

  • Any accident or incident associated with the operation of an aircraft, and
  • Any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described above.

Reportable aviation accident

An accident resulting directly from the operation of an aircraft where:

  1. a person is killed or sustains a serious injury as a result of:
    • being on board the aircraft,
    • coming into contact with any part of the r aircraft, including parts that have become detached from the aircraft, or
    • being directly exposed to jet blast, rotor down wash or propeller wash,
  2. the aircraft sustains structural failure or damage that adversely affects the aircraft's structural strength, performance or flight characteristics and would normally require major repair or replacement of any affected component, except for
    • engine failure or damage, when the damage is limited to the engine, its cowlings or accessories, or
    • damage limited to propellers, wing tips, antennae, tires, brakes, fairings or small dents or puncture holes in the aircraft's skin, or
  3. the aircraft is missing or inaccessible;

Reportable aviation incident

An incident involving an aircraft having a maximum certificated take-off weight greater than 2 250 kg, or of an aircraft being operated under an air operator certificate issued under Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, where:

  1. an engine fails or is shut down as a precautionary measure,
  2. a power train transmission gearbox malfunction occurs,
  3. smoke is detected or a fire occurs on board,
  4. difficulties in controlling the aircraft are encountered owing to any aircraft system malfunction, weather phenomena, wake turbulence, uncontrolled vibrations or operations outside the flight envelope
  5. the aircraft fails to remain within the intended landing or take-off area, lands with all or part of the landing gear retracted or drags a wing tip, an engine pod or any other part of the aircraft,
  6. a crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the aircraft is unable to perform their duties as a result of a physical incapacitation which poses a threat to the safety of persons, property or the environment,
  7. depressurization of the aircraft occurs that requires an emergency descent,
  8. a fuel shortage occurs that requires a diversion or requires approach and landing priority at the destination of the aircraft,
  9. the aircraft is refuelled with the incorrect type of fuel or contaminated fuel,
  10. a collision, a risk of collision or a loss of separation occurs,
  11. a crew member declares an emergency or indicates an emergency that requires priority handling by air traffic services or the standing by of emergency response services,
  12. a slung load is released unintentionally or as a precautionary or emergency measure from the aircraft, or
  13. any dangerous goods are released in or from the aircraft.

Collision

Collision means an impact, other than an impact associated with normal operating circumstances, between aircraft or between an aircraft and another object or terrain.

Risk of collision

Risk of collision means a situation in which an aircraft comes so close to being involved in a collision that a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment exists.

Loss of separation

Loss of separation means a situation in which the distance separating two aircraft is less than the minimum established in the Canadian Domestic Air Traffic Control Separation Standards, published by the Department of Transport, as amended from time to time.

Serious injury

  • a fracture of any bone, except simple fractures of fingers, toes or the nose,
  • lacerations that cause severe hemorrhage or nerve, muscle or tendon damage,
  • an injury to an internal organ,
  • second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5% of the body surface,
  • a verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation, or
  • an injury that is likely to require hospitalization.

Operation

Operation means the activities for which an aircraft is used from the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until they disembark.

Operator

Operator has the same meaning as in subsection 101.01(1) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

Commercial operators

Commercial operators include carriers that offer a “for-hire” service to transport people or goods, or to undertake specific tasks such as aerial photography, flight training, or crop spraying.

Airliner

An airplane used by a Canadian air operator in an air transport service or in aerial work involving sightseeing operations, that has a MCTOW of more than 8 618 kg (19 000 pounds) or for which a Canadian type certificate has been issued authorizing the transport of 20 or more passengers.

Commuter aircraft

An airplane used by a Canadian air operator, in an air transport service or in aerial work involving sightseeing operations, in which the aircraft is

  • a multi-engined aircraft that has a MCTOW of 8618 kg (19 000 pounds) or less and a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of 10 to 19, inclusive; or
  • a turbo jet powered airplane that has a maximum zero fuel weight of 22 680 kg (50 000 pounds) or less and for which a Canadian type certificate has been issued authorizing the transport of not more than 19 passengers.

Aerial work aircraft

A commercially operated airplane or helicopter used in aerial work involving

  • the carriage on board of persons other than flight crew members;
  • the carriage of helicopter external loads;
  • the towing of objects; or
  • the dispersal of products.

Air taxi aircraft

A commercially operated aircraft used in an air transport service or in aerial work involving sightseeing operations, in which the aircraft is

  • a single engined aircraft;
  • a multi engined aircraft, other than a turbo jet powered airplane, that has a MCTOW of 8618 kg (19 000 pounds) or less and a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of nine or less; or
  • any aircraft that is authorized by the Minister of Transport to be operated under Part VII, Subpart 3, Division 1 of the CARs.

State operators

State operators include the federal and provincial governments.

Private operators

Private operator means the holder of a private operator registration document issued under subsection 604.04(2) of the CARs.

Recreational operators

Recreational operators include individuals flying for pleasure. Included are flights on which it is not possible to transport people or cargo on a “for-hire” basis.