date posted: 2001-08-01
On Thursday, July 11, Ward 3 Councillor David L. Cohen and I hosted an information meeting for area residents following the recent crash of a small aircraft into a home on Spadina Road.
There were approximately 100 attendees along with representatives of Transport Canada, NavCanada, and the Buttonville Airport to discuss safety concerns associated with the airport. As well, many of the speakers addressed the issue of noise and frequency of planes flying over their homes. Several witnesses to the crash as well as the owner of the home who experienced the crash spoke of the effects such an event has had on them despite the fact that, miraculously, there were no serious physical injuries to the pilot or the residents.
The officials in attendance distributed an information sheet which highlighted the number of aircraft movements Buttonville handles and noted that the safety record of this airport is consistently within the top 10 of Canada's busiest airports.
The airport has recently received federal government approval to operate for at least another 10 years. The objective in my mind should be to co-exist as neighbours for the next number of years and to this end, to minimize any hazards to Richmond Hill residents as much as possible.
My colleague on Council, David L. Cohen and I have proposed some changes to operating practices and procedures, including flight patterns, to NavCanada. Many residents at the meeting offered similar suggestions. We are awaiting a response from the federal government officials and will advise residents of the outcome.
The report of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada on the specific incident in Richmond Hill will not be made public for many months as a detailed investigation is now underway. In the meantime, the concerns of residents will continue to be put forward at the Buttonville Airport Committee as we seek to balance the needs of the residents with those of the airport.