What to Do After an Aircraft Accident in Canada

Most pilots regularly practise emergency procedures in the air, but fewer think about what happens after the aircraft reaches the ground.

Whether the occurrence involves a hard landing, wildlife strike, ground collision or serious accident, the decisions made during the first few minutes can affect the safety of everyone involved, the investigation and the aircraft insurance claim.

Knowing what to do in advance can help you remain calm and avoid making an already difficult situation worse.

Common Aircraft Insurance Claims

An aviation insurance claim does not always involve a catastrophic accident. Some common aircraft claims include:

• Hard landings

• Bird and wildlife strikes

• Gear-up landings

• Taxiing accidents

• Propeller strikes

• Collisions with hangars, vehicles or ground equipment

• Wind, hail and lightning damage

• Ground handling damage

• Forced and precautionary landings

• Theft or vandalism

  
  

Regardless of the type of occurrence, people and safety must always come before the aircraft or the insurance claim.

Look After Everyone First

The first priority following an aircraft accident is determining whether anyone has been injured.

Contact emergency services when required and obtain medical attention for the pilot, passengers or anyone on the ground. An injury that initially appears minor may become more serious later, especially after the stress and adrenaline associated with an accident.

Do not allow concern about aircraft damage or insurance coverage to delay necessary medical care.

Secure the Area and Prevent Further Damage

Once everyone is safe, take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage or injuries.

This could include shutting off the electrical system or fuel supply when safe, keeping people away from the aircraft and protecting the scene from fire, traffic or other hazards.

Evidence relating to a transportation occurrence generally needs to be preserved. Necessary measures can still be taken to protect people, property and the environment. Avoid moving the aircraft unless it is required for safety, authorized by the appropriate authority or necessary to prevent further damage.

If the aircraft must be moved, document its original position first whenever it is safe and practical. Take photographs and videos from several angles and record the location of any separated components.

Damaged aircraft can also be vulnerable to theft. If the scene cannot be secured immediately, speak with the authorities, airport operator, insurer or claims adjuster about protecting the aircraft and its avionics.

Report the Occurrence When Required

Aircraft owners, operators, pilots-in-command and crew members may have reporting obligations following an aviation occurrence.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada requires reportable aviation accidents and incidents to be reported as soon as possible using the quickest available means. A full report may also be required within 30 days.

The TSB maintains a 24-hour reporting line:

1-800-387-3557 within Canada 819-994-3741 directly or from outside Canada

You can review the current requirements through the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

Depending on the circumstances, you may also need to contact:

• Local emergency services

• The airport or aerodrome operator

• The aircraft owner

• The flight school or rental company

• The operator’s management team

• Other applicable authorities

  
  

If you are uncertain whether an occurrence is reportable, contact the TSB for guidance.

Contact Your Aviation Insurance Broker

Notify your aviation insurance broker as soon as reasonably possible.

Your broker will collect the initial details, notify the insurance company and help begin the aviation insurance claim process. The insurer will normally appoint an aviation claims adjuster to investigate the loss and guide the next steps.

Be prepared to provide:

• The aircraft registration and model

• The date, time and location of the occurrence

• A factual description of what happened

• The names of the pilot and passengers

• Information about any injuries

• A description of the aircraft and property damage

• Photographs and videos

• Contact information for witnesses

• Information about where the aircraft is being stored

  
  

Keep copies of all correspondence, photographs, estimates, invoices and reports connected to the claim.

Do not authorize major repairs, disposal, salvage or transportation of the aircraft without first speaking with the insurer or claims adjuster, unless immediate action is necessary to protect people or property.

Stick to the Facts

Following an accident, pilots are often under considerable stress. It can be tempting to speculate about the cause or immediately accept responsibility.

Be cooperative and honest, but provide the facts you know rather than guessing about what may have happened. A proper determination should be based on the available evidence and investigation.

Avoid making public statements or posting photographs and theories on social media while the occurrence is being investigated. Comments made shortly after an accident may be incomplete or taken out of context.

How an Aviation Insurance Broker Can Help

A good aviation insurance broker does more than arrange a policy and collect the premium.

When a claim happens, your broker should help you understand the process, communicate with the insurer and claims adjuster, and ensure the necessary information is provided. Your broker should never make you feel like a problem because you reported a claim.

This is one of the moments when you need an experienced aviation insurance broker the most.

Prepare Before an Accident Happens

Pilots and aircraft owners should review their insurance before they ever need to make a claim.

Confirm that you know:

• Who to contact after an accident

• Where your policy documents are stored

• Your aircraft’s insured value

• Your hull deductible

• Your liability limit

• Whether your policy includes coverage for emergency expenses

• Which pilots are approved to fly the aircraft

• What territorial restrictions apply

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Keep your broker’s contact information somewhere accessible outside the aircraft. If your phone, flight bag or documents are inside a damaged aircraft, you may not be able to retrieve them immediately.

Insurance policies contain different conditions, exclusions and reporting requirements. Always review your policy and obtain guidance based on the specific circumstances of the occurrence.

Request an Aircraft Insurance Quote

Having the right coverage and an experienced aviation insurance broker can make an enormous difference when an accident occurs.

If you own or operate an aircraft in Canada, you can request a no-obligation quote through the COPA Aviators Canada Insurance Program from Covalen.

Coverage is subject to underwriting approval and the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy.

About the Author

Caleb Winterburn is Vice President of Aviation Insurance at Covalen and has worked in the aviation insurance industry since 2011. He is also a commercial fixed-wing and commercial helicopter pilot with experience flying airplanes, helicopters and float-equipped aircraft.

Caleb works with aircraft owners, pilots, flight schools and commercial aviation operators across Canada. His combination of aviation insurance experience and practical flying knowledge allows him to help clients understand their coverage and navigate the claims process.