Marine (Table 1)
A total of 517 marine accidents were reported to the TSB in 2001. This represents the lowest total since 1975, with decreases of 2% compared to
2000 and 12% compared to the five-year average. Nearly one-half of all vessels involved in shipping accidents were fishing vessels. In 2001, marine
accidents resulted in 33 fatalities compared to a total of 31 in 2000. In 2001, 40 vessels were reported lost, a slight increase from 37 in 2000 but a
20% reduction from the five-year average. The number of marine incidents in 2001 was 239, 4% lower than in 2000 but 35% higher than the five-year
average. That increase primarily involved mechanical failures (43% higher) and close-quarters situations (50% higher).
Pipeline (Table 2)
In 2001, 22 pipeline accidents were reported to the TSB, equal to last year's total and comparable to the 1996-2000 average of 21. Of those 22
accidents, 10 involved damage to a pipeline compared to 6 in 2000 and a five-year average of 8. The other 12 accidents occurred at facilities such as
pump stations and compressor stations, comparable to 16 in 2000 and a five-year average of 13. There were no serious injuries in 2001; no
pipeline-related fatality has been reported since 1988. Reportable incidents numbered 34 in 2001, compared to 37 in 2000 and the five-year average of
34. In 2001, 82% of incidents involved uncontained release of products.
Rail (Table 3)
In 2001, 1 064 railway accidents were reported to the TSB, comparable to last year's total of 1 065, but a 6% decrease over the 1996-2000 average.
Rail activity increased by 2.6 million train-miles over the previous year, which resulted in a 3% decrease in the accident rate from 13.3 accidents
per million train-miles in 2000 to 12.9 in 2001. There was a 5% increase in the number of main-track accidents compared to 2000, due mainly to a 7%
increase in main-track derailments. However, this figure is 12% lower than the five-year average. Non-main-track train collisions totalled 89 in 2001,
a 21% decrease over both 2000 and the five-year average. There were 279 crossing accidents in 2001, up from 264 in 2000 but below the five-year
average of 298. Trespasser accidents totalled 79 in 2001, equal to last year's figure but lower than the five-year average of 95. Crossing and
trespasser accidents resulted in 96 fatalities in 2001, a 12% increase compared to 2000, due mainly to a 24% increase in crossing-related fatalities
from 33 last year to 41 this year. In 2001, 321 railway incidents were reported, which is slightly lower than the 2000 total of 330 and 20% lower than
the five-year average of 401. However, there were 193 dangerous goods leakers in 2001, an increase of 3% compared to 2000 but well below the
five-year average of 248.
Air (Table 4)
Canadian-registered aircraft, other than ultralights, were involved in 295 reported accidents in 2001, 8% fewer than in 2000 and 15% fewer than the
1996-2000 average. The 2001 level of flying activity decreased by 3% from 2000 to 3 860 000 hours, yielding an accident rate of 7.6 accidents per 100
000 flying hours compared to the 2000 accident rate of 8.0 and the five-year average rate of 8.8. Canadian-registered aircraft, other than ultralights,
were involved in 33 fatal accidents with 61 fatalities in 2001, slightly fewer than the five-year average of 37 fatal accidents with 71
fatalities. About half the fatal accidents involved privately operated aircraft; 6 of the remaining 15 fatal accidents involved helicopters. In 2001,
there were 35 accidents with 7 fatalities involving ultralights, compared to 38 accidents with 9 fatalities in 2000. The number of accidents and
fatalities involving ultralights in 2001 was also slightly lower than the five-year average. The total number of reported incidents increased by 17%
to 853.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates accidents and incidents in the marine, pipeline, rail, and air modes of transport in order to
identify safety deficiencies in the system with a view to reducing the risk to persons, property, and the environment. The sole aim of the TSB is to
advance transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
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