Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask questions about the aircraft safety issue following the horrible crash of Swissair flight 111 off Peggy's Cove some time ago. Coincidentally just last night another aircraft had a forced landing in Gander, Newfoundland. The problem was similar to the one reported in the Swissair crash. This one did not crash but it was a forced landing because of loss of cabin pressure and smoke in the cockpit.
When I asked this question before the minister responded that we have no evidence that there is a wiring deficiency or a wiring problem in aircraft in Canada. I take exception to that and I will get into it in a second.
Another thing he said was that there certainly was no hazard or no danger as long as planes are properly maintained. I would like to address both those issues and ask the parliamentary secretary to respond.
Certainly on the question of wiring, it is very clear in the report called “FAA Aging Transport Non-Structural Systems Plans” that the organization or the task force identified to research the situation acknowledged that a more extensive examination of aging aircraft systems was needed. More aging airplane models need to be evaluated and the wire analysed in laboratories to fully characterize the condition of the wire on our aging transport airplane fleet. Certainly wiring was the big issue in that report.
The FAA went on to identify the top four aging concerns. It is probably the most highly recognized aircraft safety organization in the world. The top four aging concerns were wiring, connectors to wiring, grounds and ground straps, and circuit breakers. These concerns are all related to wiring. That is exactly what we have been saying all along. Wiring is an issue that should be addressed.
The second issue that I want to bring forward is maintenance. The minister said that even though these planes perhaps have problems as long as they are properly maintained everything is okay. However the FAA went on to say that its studies also revealed that current maintenance practices for systems were too general and that standard repair practices were needed. It said that there was definitely a need to improve inspections. The review found that some wiring systems were difficult to inspect and that there were insufficient inspection criteria for corrosion on flight control and hydraulic systems.
Again I bring to the attention of the parliamentary secretary that wiring is an issue and inspections do not cover it. That is very clear from the FAA report.
I would like the parliamentary secretary to address those remarks of the FAA. I would like him to acknowledge the problem like the FAA has done. There is a problem with wiring. There is a problem with aging aircraft. There is a problem with inspections.
I would also like the parliamentary secretary to comment on the specific wiring deficiencies and any efforts made or attempts right now to try to determine what the problems are. I would like him to comment on the FAA remarks that improved inspections and maintenance procedures were definitely required right away.
If the parliamentary secretary could address those three issues by the FAA I would be very grateful.