Canadian Press

OTTAWA (CP) - Passengers getting on small planes may soon find themselves being asked to step on scales.

The Transportation Safety Board is recommending to Transport Canada that the actual weight of passengers be used rather than a standard average weight when calculating a plane's load. Transport Canada is already asking airlines to assume that Canadians weigh more than they say when calculating plane loads. But it is unclear how airlines will gauge how much each passenger weighs.

“Whether they use a scale or whether they ask them to fill out a survey, that's up to them," TSB spokesman Denis Rivard said Thursday.”

The recommendation comes following a TSB investigation into a Jan. 17 crash of a Cessna 208-B Caravan into Lake Erie near Pelee Island, Ont., that killed 10 people on their way back from a hunting trip.

Preliminary findings indicated the plane was more than 454 kilograms overweight - more than 15 per cent the maximum safe load.

The TSB has not blamed the crash on overloading, and has said the structure of the aircraft was sound and its engine was operational.

Transport Minister Jean Lapierre praised the TSB for its work on the crash investigation.

“Transport Canada fully supports the intent of the recommendations and will review the information provided today,” Lapierre said in a release.

Standard weight guidelines are used by commercial carriers to estimate the weight of passengers and carry-on baggage so they can ensure a plane isn't over its recommended load.

Under the amended regulations, the standard weights for males over 12 years of age are 206 pounds in winter and 200 pounds in summer - a 13-pound increase. For females over 12, the standard weight increases by 25 pounds to 171 pounds in winter and 165 pounds in summer.

The weight changes include a five-pound increase per passenger for carry-on baggage.

The new requirements come into effect Jan. 20, but Transport Canada expects operators will voluntarily comply with the amendments before then.

Transport Canada spokeswoman Lucie Vignola said pilots, airlines and unions will be consulted over the next three months on the issue.