Air 2003

Appendix B

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply to aviation occurrences that are required to be reported pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the associated Regulations.

Aviation Occurrence

1. Any accident or incident associated with the operation of an aircraft; and
   
   
2. Any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described in (a) above.

Reportable Aviation Accident

An accident resulting directly from the operation of an aircraft where

1. a person sustains a serious injury or is killed as a result of
   1. being on board the aircraft;
   2. coming into contact with any part of the aircraft or its contents; or
   3. being directly exposed to the jet blast or rotor downwash of the aircraft;
2. the aircraft sustains damage that adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the aircraft and that requires major repair or replacement of any affected component part; or
3. the aircraft is missing or inaccessible.

Reportable Aviation Incident

An incident resulting directly from the operation of an aeroplane having a maximum certificated take-off weight (MCTOW) greater than 5 700 kg, or from the operation of a rotorcraft having a MCTOW greater than 2 250 kg, where

1. an engine fails or is shut down as a precautionary measure;
   
   
2. a transmission gearbox malfunction occurs;
   
   
3. smoke or fire occurs;
   
   
4. difficulties in controlling the aircraft are encountered owing to any aircraft system malfunction, weather phenomena, wake turbulence, uncontrolled vibrations or operations outside the flight envelope;
   
   
5. the aircraft fails to remain within the intended landing or take-off area, lands with all or part of the landing gear retracted, or drags a wing tip, an engine pod, or any other part of the aircraft;
   
   
6. any crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the aircraft is unable to perform the crew member's duties as a result of physical incapacitation that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property, or the environment;
   
   
7. depressurization occurs that necessitates an emergency descent;
   
   
8. a fuel shortage occurs that necessitates a diversion or requires approach and landing priority at the destination of the aircraft;
   
   
9. the aircraft is refuelled with the incorrect type of fuel or contaminated fuel;
   
   
10. a collision, risk of collision, or loss of separation occurs;
    
    
11. a crew member declares an emergency or indicates any degree of emergency that requires priority handling by an air traffic control unit or the standing by of emergency response services;
    
    
12. a slung load is released unintentionally or as a precautionary or emergency measure from the aircraft; or
    
    
13. any dangerous goods are released in or from the aircraft.

Serious Injury

An injury that is sustained by a person in an accident and that

1. requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within seven days of the date the injury was received; or
   
   
2. results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes or nose); or
   
   
3. involves lacerations which cause severe haemorrhage or nerve, muscle or tendon damage; or
   
   
4. involves injury to any internal organ; or
   
   
5. involves second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5% of the body surface; or
   
   
6. involves verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation.

ATS-Related Event

Any event related to the provision of air traffic control services including, but not limited to, failure or inability to provide service, emergency handling, or loss of in-flight separation.

Air Proximity Event

A situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or air traffic services personnel, the distance between aircraft as well as their positions and speed have been such that the safety of the aircraft involved may have been compromised.

Commercial Operators

Commercial operators include carriers that offer a "for-hire" service to transport people or goods or to undertake specific tasks such as aerial photography, flight training, or crop spraying.

Airliner

An aeroplane used by a Canadian air operator in an air transport service or in aerial work involving sightseeing operations, that has a MCTOW of more than 8 618 kg (19 000 pounds) or for which a Canadian type certificate has been issued authorizing the transport of 20 or more passengers.

Commuter Aircraft

An aeroplane used by a Canadian air operator, in an air transport service or in aerial work involving sightseeing operations, of any of the following aircraft:

1. a multi-engined aircraft that has a MCTOW of 8 618 kg (19 000 pounds) or less and a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of 10 to 19 inclusive;
   
   
2. a turbo-jet-powered aeroplane that has a maximum zero fuel weight of 22 680 kg (50 000 pounds) or less and for which a Canadian type certificate has been issued authorizing the transport of not more than 19 passengers.

Aerial Work Aircraft

A commercially operated aeroplane or helicopter used in aerial work involving

1. the carriage on board of persons other than flight crew members;
2. the carriage of helicopter external loads;
3. the towing of objects; or
4. the dispersal of products.

Air Taxi Aircraft

A commercially operated aircraft used in an air transport service or in aerial work involving sightseeing operations, in which the aircraft is:

1. a single-engined aircraft;
   
   
2. a multi-engined aircraft, other than a turbo-jet-powered aeroplane, that has a MCTOW of 8 618 kg (19,000 pounds) or less and a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of nine or less; or
   
   
3. any aircraft that is authorized by the Minister of Transport to be operated under Part VII, Subpart 3, Division 1 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

State Operators

State operators include the federal and provincial governments.

Corporate Operators

Corporate operators include companies flying for business reasons.

Private Operators

Private operators include individuals flying for pleasure. Included are flights on which it is not possible to transport people or cargo on a "for-hire" basis.

Please refer to the Table of Contents for other sections of this summary.