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TSB # S 01/2003

2002 TSB Preliminary Transportation Occurrence Statistics

(Gatineau) March 17, 2003 – The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its preliminary 2002 transportation occurrence statistics. These statistics show that in all modes there were fewer occurrences compared to 2001 and to the 1997-2001 average. The number of fatalities in all modes decreased in 2002, and remained at zero for the pipeline mode. However, rail fatalities decreased only slightly, with an increase in crossing fatalities nearly offsetting a decrease in trespassing fatalities.

Marine (Table 1)

A total of 655 marine occurrences were reported to the TSB in 2002. This is the lowest total since 1977, and represents a decrease of 13% compared to 2001 and to the 1997-2001 average. Forty-four percent of all vessels involved in marine occurrences were fishing vessels. In 2002, marine occurrences resulted in 26 fatalities compared to a total of 34 in 2001. Twenty-five vessels were reported lost in 2002, a decrease from 52 in 2001.

Pipeline (Table 2)

In 2002, 54 pipeline occurrences were reported to the TSB, down from 57 in 2001 and the 1997-2001 average of 55. Three-quarters of these occurred at facilities such as pump stations and compressor stations. There were no serious injuries in 2002. No fatality has been reported since 1988.

Rail (Table 3)

In 2002, rail occurrences reported to the TSB reached a twenty-year low of 1,288, representing a 7% decrease from the 2001 total of 1,382 and a 12% decrease from the 1997-2001 average of 1,462. During 2002, rail activity increased by 2.9 million train-miles over 2001, resulting in a 10% decrease in the occurrence rate to 13.9 occurrences per million train-miles in 2002 from 15.4 in 2001. In 2002, nearly three out of four trains involved in rail occurrences were freight trains, while 17% were single cars or cuts of cars and 6% were passenger trains. There were 96 fatalities in 2002, down from 99 in 2001 and the five-year average of 100. All fatalities in 2002 involved pedestrians or motor vehicle occupants at crossings, or trespassers. There was a decrease in trespasser fatalities to 50 in 2002 from the five-year average of 60, while there was an increase in crossing-related fatalities to 46 in 2002 from the five-year average of 36.

Air (Table 4)

Canadian-registered aircraft, other than ultralights, were involved in 1005 reportable occurrences in 2002, a decrease of 1% from 2001 and from the 1997-2001 average. The 2002 level of flying activity is estimated to have decreased by 3% from 2001 to 3,730,000 hours, yielding an occurrence rate of 26.9 occurrences per 100,000 flying hours compared to the 2001 occurrence rate of 26.3 and the five-year average rate of 24.8. Canadian-registered aircraft, other than ultralights, were involved in 28 fatal occurrences with 47 fatalities in 2002, fewer than the 33 fatal occurrences with 62 fatalities in 2001, and fewer than the five-year average of 34 fatal occurrences with 71 fatalities. About half the fatal occurrences involved privately operated aircraft; six of the remaining 15 fatal occurrences involved helicopters.

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Table 1 Marine Occurrences 2002

2002 2001 1997-2001 Average Total Marine Accidents 483 517 559 Shipping Accidents 447 458 494   Collision 15 16 17   Capsizing 14 6 12   Foundering/Sinking 26 37 34   Fire/Explosion 52 84 71   Grounding 129 114 127   Striking 71 88 83   Ice damage 2 4 11   Propeller/Rudder/Structural damage 43 19 29   Flooding 52 70 65   Other 43 20 45   Accidents Aboard Ship 36 59 65 Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents 481 506 538   Cargo 23 31 26   Bulk carrier/OBO 57 57 64   Tanker 9 12 14   Tug 24 39 39   Barge 31 28 30   Ferry 21 24 22   Passenger 26 16 20   Fishing 237 246 267   Service vessel 19 27 28   Non-Commercial 20 18 15   Other 14 8 13   By Vessel Flag 481 506 538   Canadian (Non-fishing) 191 197 196   Canadian (Fishing) 231 232 257   Foreign 59 77 86 Vessels Lost (By Gross Tonnage) 25 51 48   150 to 1,599 grt 1 3 3   60 to 149 grt 3 8 6   15 to 59 grt 6 15 13   Less than 15 grt 9 18 18   Unknown tonnage 5 6 8   Fatalities 26 34 33   Shipping Accidents 17 17 19   Accidents Aboard Ship 9 17 14   Injuries 75 70 82   Shipping Accidents 38 18 22   Accidents Aboard Ship 37 52 60   Reported Incidents(Mandatory) 172 239 197   Close-quarters situation 27 60 45   Engine/Rudder/Propeller 57 99 82   Cargo trouble 5 4 5   Personal incidents 8 8 5   Other 75 68 60       All five-year averages have been rounded. Occurrence data do not include pleasure craft except when the latter are involved in an occurrence with a commercial vessel. The majority of vessels listed under unknown tonnage are suspected of being less than 15 grt. (2002 figures are preliminary as of 14 February 2003 and subject to change). Source: Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Table 2 Pipeline Occurrence Statistics - 2002

2002 2001 1997-2001 Average Accidents      Line Pipe   3rd Party Damage with release 0 1 0   Disturbance of Supporting Environment with release 0 1 1   Corrosion/Environmental Cracking 0 1 2   Fire/Ignition/Explosion 3 2 1   Other Damage with Release 4 5 3   Total 7 10 7      Other Facilities*   3rd Party Damage  0 1 0   Disturbance of Supporting Environment with release 0 0 0   Corrosion/Environmental Cracking 0 2 2   Fire/Ignition/Explosion 6 7 5   Other Damage with Release 7 3 6   Total 13 13 13     Incidents      Line Pipe   3rd Party Damage / No Release 2 2 1   Disturbance of Supporting Environment / No release 1 0 0   Uncontained Release 3 4 6   Other 1 0 1   Total 7 6 8      Other Facilities*   3rd Party Damage / No Release 0 0 0   Disturbance of Supporting Environment / No release 0 0 0   Uncontained Release 25 25 25   Other 2 3 2   Total 27 28 27     *  Includes Compressor Stations, Pump Stations, Meter Stations, Gas Processing Plants and other related    facilities.    Figures are preliminary as of January 21, 2003

Table 3 Railway Occurrences and Casualties - 2002

2002 2001 1997-2001 Average Accidents         Main-Track Train Collisions 8 7 10   Main-Track Train Derailments 117 127 129   Crossings 261 278 281   Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 112 86 105   Non-Main-Track Train Derailments 347 385 377   Collisions/Derailments Involving Track Units 11 18 19   Employee/Passenger 8 8 10   Trespassers 72 79 86   Fires/Explosions 24 36 43   Other 25 36 28      Total 985 1,060 1,089           Incidents         Dangerous Goods Leaker 167 194 221   Main-track Switch in Abnormal Position 9 9 13   Movement Exceeds Limits of Authority 94 94 104   Runaway Rolling Stock 19 10 14   Others 14 15 20      Total 303 322 373           Million Train-miles* 92.42 89.51 89.89 Accidents/Million Train-miles 10.66 11.84 12.11           Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods         Main-track Train Derailments 26 17 25   Crossings 7 7 8   Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 48 40 51   Non-Main-Track Train Derailments 130 128 144   All Others 13 13 14      Total 224 205 241           Accidents with a DG Release 3 5 7           Accidents Involving Passenger Trains 66 76 71           Fatalities         Crossings 46 41 36   Trespassers 50 56 60   All Others 0 2 4      Total 96 99 100           Serious Injuries         Crossings 42 47 45   Trespassers 20 22 25   All Others 8 22 16      Total 70 91 87       *   Train-miles estimated. (Source: Transports Canada) Figures are preliminary as of January 21, 2003 All 5-year averages have been rounded. The totals sometimes do not coincide to the sum of these averages.

Table 4 Aviation Occurrences and Casualties - 2002

2002 2001 1997-2001 Average   Canadian-Registered Aircraft Accidents1 273 295 340   Aeroplanes Involved2 209 243 280      Airliners 6 5 8      Commuters 6 8 10      Air Taxis 40 37 74      Aerial Work 12 18 17      State 4 3 2      Corporate 2 4 8      Private/Other3 139 168 161   Helicopters Involved 56 46 52   Other Aircraft Involved4 10 9 13   Fatal Accidents 28 33 34   Aeroplanes Involved 20 25 26      Airliners 0 0 0      Commuters 0 1 1      Air Taxis 4 5 6      Aerial Work 1 1 1      State 2 0 0      Corporate 0 1 1      Private/Other3 13 17 16   Helicopters Involved 6 6 7   Other Aircraft Involved 3 3 2   Fatalities 47 62 71 Serious Injuries 42 37 50   Canadian - Registered Ultralight   Aircraft Accidents 36 35 40   Fatal Accidents 9 6 7   Fatalities 12 8 11   Serious Injuries 4 8 8   Foreign - Registered Aircraft Accidents   in Canada 14 29 21   Fatal Accidents 1 8 6   Fatalities 2 10 56   Serious Injuries 1 5 3   Canadian-Registered Aircraft: Reportable Incidents 732 721 616 All Aircraft: Reportable Incidents 865 853 747   Risk of Collision / Loss of Separation 194 204 185   Declared Emergency 281 255 221   Engine Failure 160 175 161   Smoke/Fire 100 107 89   Collision 21 19 10   Other 109 93 80       1 Ultralight Aircraft Excluded. 2 As some accidents may involve multiple aircraft, the number of aircraft involved may differ from the total number of accidents 3 Other: Contains, but is not limited to, organizations that rent aircraft (i.e. flying schools, flying clubs, etc.) 4 Includes Gliders, Balloons and Gyrocopters.   Figures are preliminary as of January 21, 2003. All five-year averages have been rounded. Totals sometimes do not coincide to the sum of averages.