FAQ

Find answers to commonly asked questions about the TSB. If you have a question that has not been answered here or anywhere else in the site, please contact us for more information.

1. When was the TSB created?
2. How does the TSB improve transportation safety?
3. What type of accidents does the TSB investigate?
4. Why does the TSB not investigate all accidents?
5. What is a transportation occurrence?
6. Who investigates private recreational boating accidents?
7. How many transportation occurrences are reported to the TSB each year?
8. How does the TSB decide which occurrences to investigate?
9. What are Class 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 occurrences?
10. How does the investigation process work?
11. How soon are investigators assigned to an occurrence?
12. Can I report safety concerns in confidence?
13. How do I apply for a job at the TSB?
14. What is the difference between the TSB and Transport Canada?
15. How many offices does the TSB have?
16. What other organizations does the TSB work with?
17. Is the TSB responsible for airport security?
18. To whom should I direct a complaint about an airline?
19. To whom should I direct questions about the safety of cars and trucks?
20. How can I find out the accident rates and quality of service of specific airlines?

1. When was the TSB created?
   The TSB was created by an act of Parliament (the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act) that came into effect 29 March 1990. See About the TSB for more information.



2. How does the TSB improve transportation safety?
   The TSB improves transportation safety by conducting independent investigations into selected transportation occurrences, identifying safety deficiencies, making recommendations designed to eliminate or reduce any such safety deficiencies, and reporting publicly on our investigations and on the findings in relation thereto. See Our Mandate for more information.






3. What type of accidents does the TSB investigate?
   The TSB can decide which accidents it investigates in the marine, pipeline, rail, and air modes of transportation. The TSB’s policy is to investigate accidents that have a reasonable potential to result in safety action or that generate a high degree of concern over transportation safety. Investigation of recreational boating, interprovincial trucking, bus, and industrial accidents is outside the scope of the TSB’s mandate. See Investigation Process and Occurrence Classification Policy for more information.






4. Why does the TSB not investigate all accidents?
   The TSB receives reports of some 3 500 transportation occurrences (accidents and incidents) each year. Once a report of the occurrence is received, it is assessed by senior investigators and a decision is made on whether to commence an investigation. The TSB investigates those occurrences that have a reasonable potential to result in safety action or that generate a high degree of concern over transportation safety. Please consult our Occurrence Classification Policy.



 

5. What is a transportation occurrence?
   A transportation occurrence is any accident or incident associated with the operation of a ship, pipeline, railway rolling stock, or aircraft. An occurrence could also be any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident. Accident and incident are defined in the Regulations.



 

6. Who investigates private recreational boating accidents?
   Recreational boating accidents involving privately-owned craft are investigated by local police forces.



 

7. How many transportation occurrences are reported to the TSB each year?
   Approximately 3 500 transportation occurrences (accidents and incidents) are reported to the TSB each year. They range from accidents involving small aircraft to engine-room fires on ships and from pipeline ruptures to freight train derailments. Statistical information about all occurrences is available on the TSB web site.



 

8. How does the TSB decide which occurrences to investigate?
   The TSB investigates approximately two to three percent of the occurrences reported each year. The TSB has the discretion to determine which occurrences it will investigate. The TSB conducts an investigation if it believes the investigation is likely to lead to reduced risk to persons, property, or the environment. Please consult our Occurrence Classification Policy.



 

9. What are Class 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 occurrences?
   A public inquiry is a Class 1 investigation. Occurrences that are investigated in depth are classified as Class 2 and 3. Multiple occurrences that reveal significant unsafe situations or conditions are grouped as safety issue investigations and are classified as Class 4. Data collected on many other occurrences to help identify safety deficiencies are Class 5. Read more about occurrence classes in the Occurrence Classification Policy.



 

10. How does the investigation process work?
    The investigation consists of three main phases: field phase, post-field phase, and report production. Please see Investigation Process for a detailed description of each phase.



 

11. How soon are investigators assigned to an occurrence?
    If the TSB decides to investigate a reported occurrence, an investigator in-charge is assigned without delay, typically within 24 hours.



 

12. Can I report safety concerns in confidence?
    Yes. The TSB has implemented SECURITAS, a confidential program for reporting transportation safety issues and concerns that would normally not be reported through other channels. For more information on how to report safety concerns confidentially, see Confidential Reporting.



 

13. How do I apply for a job at the TSB?
    Jobs available at the TSB are listed on the Public Service Commission web site.



 

14. What is the difference between the TSB and Transport Canada?
    The TSB and Transport Canada are separate and distinct organizations. Transport Canada is concerned with developing and administering policies, regulations and services for transportation systems in Canada with respect to marine, rail and aviation. This differs from the TSB’s mandate of advancing transportation safety in the marine, pipeline, rail and air modes of transportation through the conduct of independent investigations, the identification of safety deficiencies, and the making of recommendations to eliminate or reduce such deficiencies.
    
    Another key difference between the TSB and Transport Canada is that Transport Canada reports to the federal Minister of Transport, while the TSB reports to Parliament through the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. This reinforces and demonstrates the TSB’s independence from regulatory bodies.
    
    See The TSB and Other Organizations for more information.



 

15. How many offices does the TSB have?
    The TSB has one head office and nine regional offices. View a list of TSB offices and their contact information.



 

16. What other organizations does the TSB work with?
    In carrying out its mandate, the TSB works closely with many other organizations. This includes Canadian regulatory bodies (Transport Canada and the National Energy Board), local police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, coroner’s offices, transportation carriers, manufacturers, the Department of National Defense, and search and rescue organizations.



 

17. Is the TSB responsible for airport security?
    No, the TSB is not responsible for airport security. Questions about airport security should be directed to Transport Canada.



 

18. To whom should I direct a complaint about an airline?
    Questions or complaints about specific airlines should be directed to the Canadian Transport Agency, Commissioner of Air Complaints.



 

19. To whom should I direct questions about the safety of cars and trucks?
    Questions about road safety should be directed to Transport Canada or your provincial ministry of transportation.



 

20. How can I find out the accident rates and quality of service of specific airlines?
    The TSB maintains statistics on accident rates for the aviation industry in general, not for specific airlines. For information and to submit complaints about specific airlines, contact the Canadian Transport Agency, Commissioner of Air Complaints.