Among the issues identified during a 2018 overrun investigation was, “The rules governing instrument approaches in Canada are too complex, confusing and ineffective at preventing pilots from conducting approaches that are not allowed, or banned, because they are below the minimum weather limits,” according to Canada’s Transportation Safety Board. In other parts of the world, a flight crew is not allowed to begin an instrument approach if the reported weather is below published minimums for a given approach except in Canada, where “flight crews are permitted to conduct approaches in visibility conditions that are below what is published.”
Transportation Safety Board of Canada Says IFR Approaches Are Confusing
Key Takeaways:
- Canadian regulations for instrument approaches are uniquely complex and allow pilots to initiate approaches even when reported weather is below published minimums, a practice not permitted in many other countries.
- This regulatory complexity was a contributing factor in a February 2018 runway overrun accident involving a Beech King Air A100, where the pilot misinterpreted the rules and proceeded with an approach in severely restricted visibility.
- The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) identified these confusing rules as making it difficult for both flight crews and air traffic control to determine approach authorization and has urged Transport Canada to simplify approach and landing minima.
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