Canada's Transportation Safety Board recommended Wednesday that the country's airport runways be lengthened and rules for landing in thunderstorms be stricter.

The board's proposals are part of its report culminating the investigation into the Aug. 2, 2005, Air France crash in Toronto in which the jetliner skidded off a runway as it landed in a thunderstorm and burst into flames, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. All 309 passengers and the aircraft's crew survived, but 10 passengers and two crew members were injured.

"We think more needs to be done to make sure aircraft will always touch down safely," TSB chairwoman Wendy Tadros said at a news conference in Toronto.

Tadros said the recommendation for a 300-yard safety zone at the end of all Canadian runways is already an international standard. If such a safety zone can't be created, an alternative method of stopping aircraft must be devised, she said.

The report also recommends enhanced pilot training.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International



Publication date: 13 December 2007   

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