Accident Probes of Small Planes Should Address Culture of Safety

VANCOUVER (CP) - An aviation expert says accident probes involving smaller aircraft often fail to address an airline's failure to enforce a culture of safety that might have contributed to the crash.

Scott Shappell, a professor of industrial engineering at Clemson University of South Carolina, says those investigating an accident are quick to point the finger at the pilot.

Shappell, who was speaking Tuesday at an international safety conference attended by helicopter and air-safety officials from 27 countries, says that often misses the underlying problem.

He says that when a major passenger jet crashes and causes extensive loss of life, federal investigators look at factors such as management safety practices.

But he says that same thoroughness doesn't always apply to the crash of smaller aircraft.

That's simply because accident investigation agencies may lack the time or resources.

Shappell co-invented the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System to make it easier for investigators to trace the wider ranges of accident causes.

A year ago, Transport Canada promised a review of B.C.'s air-taxi industry after 14 people died in six accidents over about 13 months. But the federal government has yet to release the results of that review.

The safety conference was sponsored by CHC Helicopter Corporation of Richmond, the world's largest helicopter company.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.