The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its investigation report (A19O0063) into the May 2019 collision between a fuel truck and a plane at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario. The investigation highlights the importance of passengers familiarizing themselves with safety information and following instructions from flight attendants during emergencies.
On 10 May 2019, at 01:33 local time, a Jazz Aviation LP de Havilland DHC-8-300 operated as flight JZA8615, and a fuel tanker operated by Menzies Aviation, collided on the apron at the Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario. The aircraft was carrying 52 passengers, including three infants. The passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft and were guided to the terminal building by the first responders. There was no fire and no fuel spillage. Fifteen minor injuries were reported, including one infant and one crew member.
Shortly before the collision, a passenger seated within view of the flight attendant took off her seat belt. The flight attendant directed her to refasten her seat belt and remain seated. The passenger did not comply with the flight attendant’s direction and was thrown to the floor by the impact.
Of the 3 infants on board the aircraft, 2 were being held on the lap of a family member, and 1 was being held in a soft-structured baby carrier attached to her mother. Both unrestrained infants were ejected from the arms of the adults carrying them. One infant hit the seat in front of her before falling into the aisle and received significant bruising. The other infant collided with the neighboring passenger but was not injured. The infant who was held in the baby carrier was not injured; however, the infant’s mother received injuries to her back and ribcage due to twisting forces resulting from the momentum of the infant strapped into the carrier.