The Transportation Safety Board is calling for better screening of heart-related conditions of Canadian pilots.

The recommendation comes after at least eight fatal or serious plane crashes between the early 2000s and 2021 害羞草研究所� all believed to be linked to heart attacks or cardiovascular diseases among pilots.

In a report published Tuesday, the independent federal agency recommended the Department of Transport 害羞草研究所渆stablish a framework for routine review and improvement害羞草研究所� of its guidelines 害羞草研究所渢o ensure it contains the most effective screening tools for assessing medical conditions,害羞草研究所� including cardiovascular health issues.

The most recent crash happened in October 2021 in central Alberta when a pilot flying an amateur-built plane died.

An investigation into the crash in Lacombe, Alta., found evidence the pilot had a heart attack, but it was impossible to determine exactly when.

But this wasn害羞草研究所檛 the first confirmed crash where cardiovascular disease was determined as a factor.

Jon Lee, western regional manager with the board, said that during the investigation into the 2021 crash, the team found that a safety issue related to heart-related wellness was raised with Transport Canada more than a decade ago.

The TSB raised the concern with Transport Canada after a 2010 crash in New Brunswick, noting the gaps between the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and that being communicated by physicians to the regulatory body.

Lee said the concern wasn害羞草研究所檛 addressed at that time.

害羞草研究所淲hen it surfaced again in (the 2021) occurrence, we felt that if we re-communicated the safety issue, we could get some more traction, and hopefully convinced the regulator to make a change,害羞草研究所� he said in an interview Tuesday.

That害羞草研究所檚 why, Lee said, the report was elevated as a recommendation.

Transport Canada害羞草研究所檚 aviation medical guidelines for cardiovascular diseases were last updated in 2012.

TSB has recommended that cardiovascular risk screening should be required for all pilots over the age of 40, and for those pilots identified to be at an increased risk based on their medical history.

As of October, 32,900 pilots in Canada hold medical certificates, qualifying them to fly planes. About half of them were over the age of 40, the report said.

The agency also suggested mandatory assessment of blood lipids in addition to other methods for screening coronary artery disease.

Lee said eight plane crashes are statistically 害羞草研究所渧ery low,害羞草研究所� but they still represent a risk to the transportation system.

害羞草研究所淭o the families involved with those people in those accidents, one is a big number,害羞草研究所� Lee added.

Of the eight crashes, two from 2010 and 2021 were proved to be directly linked to a pilot suffering from a heart attack while flying. The others were identified as a risk to the transportation system.

TSB also pointed out that many physicians aren害羞草研究所檛 aware of their patients holding pilot licenses, which increases the chances of affecting 害羞草研究所渢he safe operation of an aircraft.害羞草研究所�

The investigative agency reached out to Transport Canada earlier this year, encouraging it to work with the Canadian Medical Association and increase awareness of the reporting requirements for physicians.

While the investigative agency doesn害羞草研究所檛 hold the authority to implement the suggestions, Lee said, he hopes the report brings some change.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檒l evaluate (Transport Canada害羞草研究所檚) actions, and if the risk is being reduced by their action,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚f so, we will close off and recommendations as fully satisfactory. If not, then we害羞草研究所檒l continue to track (the risks) on an annual basis.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所擱itika Dubey, The Canadian Press