The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada is recommending that regulator Transport Canada work with aviation industry and union representatives to develop and implement requirements for a comprehensive substance abuse program. The program, intended to reduce the risk of impairment of persons while engaged in safety sensitive functions, should include mandatory testing, as well as education, employee assistance, rehabilitation and peer support, TSB said.
TSB made its recommendation in the final report, released Thursday, in the April 13, 2015, fatal accident of a Swearingen SA-226-TC Metro II operated by Carson Air Ltd. The Metro II was carrying freight from Vancouver International Airport to Prince George Airport when, according to TSB, it entered a steep dive shortly after takeoff and suffered a catastrophic in-flight breakup. Both pilots were fatally injured.
Toxicology testing indicated that the captain had a blood alcohol level of .24 percent and likely had consumed a s…
