MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, stated its commitment to crew and patient safety following the release of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation report into the 2013 Moosonee helicopter accident.
“We deeply regret the loss of our dear colleagues who died in service to the Ontario public, and our thoughts remain with their family members,” Dr. Andrew McCallum, President and CEO
of Ornge, said.
“We will continue to honour the memory of the Moosonee crew with an unwavering commitment to protecting the safety of our patients, paramedics and pilots.”
On May 31, 2013, an air ambulance helicopter crashed after it departed the Ornge Moosonee base en route to perform a patient transport. Capt. Don Filliter, First Officer Jacques Dupuy and Flight Paramedics Chris Snowball and Dustin Dagenais died in the accident.
Over the past three years, Ornge has cooperated with the TSB throughout the investigative process.
“Immediately following the accident, we initiated a full review of our safety processes, procedures and technology and took steps to minimize risk,“ Dr. McCallum said.
On pages 163-166 of its report, the TSB outlines many of the safety actions taken by Ornge.
The Sikorsky S76A model helicopter has been retired from the provincial air ambulanc fleet and replaced with the modern AW139 helicopter. Ornge’s Kenora and Thunder Bay bases transitioned to the new aircraft in 2014 and the Moosonee base transition is currently underway. The AW139 helicopter has advanced avionics, safety equipment and meets the highest certification standards.
Ornge is in the process of introducing night vision goggles in its helicopter fleet. Additional northern-based aircraft will be outfitted with NVGs this summer and fall, with completion across the fleet by the end of 2017.
A proficiency flying program was introduced, requiring pilots to conduct certain specific exercises and minimum flight time within a 90-day period.
Key personnel with extensive rotor wing experience have joined the aviation management team, including a new Director of Aviation Safety, Director of Maintenance and Manager of Flight Training and Standards.
“With the investigation now complete, we will review and study the recommendations and findings
outlined in the report carefully as we strive to be industry leaders in safety,” McCallum said.