The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 15 October 2015.
Risk of collision
Between
Jazz Aviation LP DHC-8-102 C-GJMI
and
Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology ZLIN Z242L C-FANU
Sault Ste. Marie Airport, Ontario, 8 nm SE
The occurrence
A Jazz Aviation LP (Jazz) de Havilland DHC-8-102 (registration C-GJMI, serial number 077), operating as Jazz flight 7794 (JZA7794), departed from Runway 22 at Sault Ste. Marie Airport, Ontario, destined for Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario. While climbing through approximately 4000 feet above sea level, the Jazz flight crew received a traffic alert from the aircraft’s traffic alert and collision avoidance system and spotted a small aircraft (registration C FANU, serial number 0681) 3 miles ahead and approximately 1000 feet above. Responding to the alert, JZA7794 levelled off at 4500 feet above sea level, but C-FANU initiated a rapid descending turn toward it. The Jazz flight crew took evasive action and banked the aircraft 30° to the left. At 1557 Eastern Daylight Time, C-FANU passed the starboard side of JZA7794, separated laterally by approximately 350 to 450 feet.
Media materials
News release
Unanticipated traffic led to September 2014 risk of collision between flight training aircraft and Jazz Aviation flight near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Read the news release
Investigation information
A14O0164
Risk of collision
Between
Jazz Aviation LP DHC-8-102 C-GJMI
and
Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology ZLIN Z242L C-FANU
Sault Ste. Marie Airport, Ontario, 8 nm SE
Investigator-in-charge
Ewan Tasker has over 20 years of civil aviation experience. He joined the TSB in 2008, and is now a regional senior investigator based out of Richmond Hill, Ontario. Since joining the TSB, he has been the investigator-in-charge of more than 250 occurrences, including 11 major investigations.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Tasker flew commercially throughout North and South America, accrued over 7000 hours of flight time, and obtained airline transport pilot licences from 3 different regulatory bodies. During his “from-the-ground-up” career, he has worked every position, from baggage handler to chief pilot. Mr. Tasker is also a Transport Canada–licensed air traffic controller.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail 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.