News release

TSB releases 2022 preliminary transportation occurrence statistics

Gatineau, Quebec, 15 March 2023 — Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its summary of preliminary transportation occurrence statistics from 2022, which show accidents are below the five-year average across all modes.

^* Does not include incidents reported to the TSB.

Air tansportation

In 2022, a total of 887 air transportation occurrences (accidents and incidents) were reported to the TSB, an increase of 28% over the previous year (691).

Of these occurrences, a total of 165 were aviation accidents, a decrease from the 191 accidents reported in 2021; which is 20% lower than the five-year average of 206, despite a continued increase of activity in the commercial aviation sector. Of these accidents, 23 were fatal accidents with 33 fatalities compared to 22 fatal accidents and 31 fatalities in 2021.

Accidents involving commercial operators decreased from 63 in 2021 to 56 in 2022, while those involving private operations (by recreational operators, holders of a private operator registration document, or others) decreased from 127 to 106.

Of the total occurrences, 722 were aviation incidents, which is an increase from the previous year (500) and close to the five-year average (727).

See the data on air transportation occurrences in December 2022.

Marine transportation

In 2022, a total of 1,209 marine transportation occurrences (accidents and incidents) were reported to the TSB, a decrease of 10% from the previous year (1076).

Of these occurrences, a total of 239 were marine accidents, a slight increase from 2021 (220), but approximately 10% below the five-year average (266). Of these accidents, 76 involved commercial fishing vessels, a slight increase from the previous year (72), but lower than the five-year average (90).

Seven of the 239 accidents were fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities. Three of the seven fatal marine occurrences involved the commercial fishing industry resulting in 3 fatalities. Commercial fishing is one of the most hazardous occupations in the country. Commercial fishing safety has been on the TSB Watchlist since its inception in 2010.

Additionally, 970 marine incidents were reported, an increase from 2021 (856) and a 7% increase from the five-year average (908). Most reportable incidents were categorized as “total failure of machinery or technical system.”

See the data on marine transportation occurrences in December 2022.

Pipeline transportation

In 2022, a total of 67 pipeline occurrences (accidents and incidents) were reported to the TSB, a decrease of 42% from the previous year (116).

Of these occurrences, there was one pipeline accident; compared to two in 2021. This is below the average of 1.2 accidents per year from 2017 to 2021. The accident took place in April 2022 (P22H0023) and involved a natural gas pipeline rupture and ignition of released product near Fox Creek, Alberta.

Of the total occurrences, 66 were pipeline incidents, which is well below the total of 114 in 2021 and the five-year average of 97. Twenty-four of these incidents involved a release of product compared to 21 in 2021, but this remains below the five-year average (35); 13 involved a release of hydrocarbon gas, 8 involved low vapour pressure hydrocarbons, and 3 involved other products.

Twenty-one percent of pipeline incidents involved geotechnical/hydrotechnical/environmental activity (14 incidents), far below the 48% in 2021 and also below the five-year average of 32%.

See the data on pipeline transportation occurrences in December 2022.

Rail transportation

In 2022, a total of 1377 rail occurrences (accidents and incidents) were reported to the TSB, an increase of 11% from the previous year (1235).

Of these occurrences, a total of 1082 were rail accidents, a slight increase from 2021 (1,041), but approximately 2% below the five-year average (1,108). Among these accidents, 107 involved dangerous goods, an increase from the 2021 total of 86, but below the five-year average of 116. Two accidents resulted in a dangerous goods release.

There were 66 rail-related fatalities reported in 2022, 6 more than the previous year, and similar to the five-year average of 65. Fifty-two of these fatalities were from trespassing accidents compared with 42 in 2021. Trespassing accidents remain the primary cause of fatalities accounting for 79% of all rail fatalities, followed by crossing accidents, which decreased slightly to 14 fatalities in 2022 from 16 in 2021.

There were 35 accidents involving an uncontrolled movement and nine incidents of uncontrolled movement of rolling stock, compared with 33 and 13 respectively in 2021 and the five-year average of 44 and 15 respectively. The unplanned/uncontrolled movement of rail equipment was added to the TSB Watchlist in 2020.

Additionally, 295 railway incidents were reported, representing a 52% increase from 2021 (194) and a 24% increase from the five-year average (237). A total of 136 of the 295 (46%) railway incidents in 2022 were categorized as “movement exceeds limits of authority” incidents, 27 more than in 2021 and 5 more than the five-year average of 131.

See the data on rail transportation occurrences in December 2022.

The statistics presented above reflect the information contained in TSB modal occurrence databases on 16 January 2023. Since the occurrence data are constantly being updated in the live database, the statistics may change slightly over time. The TSB will release its complete and final statistical reports for 2022 in late spring; these will include accident rates and a more thorough analysis of the updated data (which may vary slightly from this preliminary data).