The GTAA issued the following comments regarding the Transportation Safety Board’s (TSB) report on the overrun of Flight 358, which landed at Toronto Pearson on August 2, 2005, and subsequently overran Runway 24L where a fire ensued. There were no fatalities in the accident.

“This final report represents the end of the TSB’s investigation into the accident,” said Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the GTAA. “While there are no recommendations relating specifically to the GTAA’s operation of Toronto Pearson, we will await Transport Canada’s review of the report and will work closely with them should there be any changes to the rules and regulations that govern the airport.”

The report states that the aircraft, an Airbus 340, landed approximately 3,800 feet down Runway 24L, which did not leave adequate stopping distance for the aircraft. Runway 24L is 9,000 feet long and, as confirmed in the report, meets all regulations as set out by Transport Canada. The runway was opened in October 2002 and was designed and built in compliance with all Canadian safety standards.

Mr. McCoomb praised fire and emergency services for their prompt and effective response to the Air France accident. “The GTAA trains and plans for emergency operations in the hope that we will never need to put those plans into action. However, the plans worked exactly the way they were supposed to. Credit should also go out to the Air France crew for their work in evacuating passengers from the aircraft.”