(Gatineau, Quebec, 04 May 2005) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) provided an update today into its investigation of Air Transat Flight 961. The Airbus A310-308, operated by Air Transat, was on a charter flight from Varadero, Cuba, to Québec City, Canada, with 261 passengers on board and a crew of nine. While at an altitude of 35 000 feet, and about 15 miles south of Marathon, Florida, a loud bang was heard and vibration was felt in the aircraft. The aircraft descended to a lower altitude and returned to Cuba, where it landed without incident. It was only after a visual inspection on the ground that the crew noted the missing rudder. One flight attendant sustained minor injuries. As the aircraft is registered in Canada and was flying over international waters at the time of the occurrence, Canada's TSB is leading the investigation. The investigation team is being assisted by a multi-national group of accredited representatives from: the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (BEA) of France, the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation (BFU), and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). These participants are joined by technical advisors from Airbus, Transport Canada, the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the German Aerosapce Center (DLR), and Air Transat. There remains a considerable amount of investigative and analytical work to be done. However, a number of safety actions have already been undertaken. These actions include direction from the manufacturer to all operators requiring a detailed inspection of the rudder area of Airbus aircraft. The French and U.S. authorities have issued directives that mandate actions and compliance times for these inspections. The Canadian operator, Air Transat, has also taken action to inform flight crews and increase inspection of the rudder assembly on the Airbus aircraft it flies. As safety deficiencies are identified through the investigation, the TSB will continue to make information public and, when needed, recommend action to advance safety. This update is based on information assembled by the investigation staff and may be amended as other facts are gathered. The analysis phase of the investigation is not complete and no conclusions should be inferred on the basis of this update as to the causes and contributing factors of the incident. The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability. -30- A complete copy of the investigation update is available on the TSB website at www.tsb.gc.ca under "What's New". For further information: John Cottreau Media Relations Advisor (819) 994-8053
