ICAO/Accident Investigation Authority: Difference between revisions

MH370 DECODED
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(24 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<h4>Accident investigation authority</h4>
<div class="header main">
<div class="header main">
<h3 style="text-align:center">Accident Investigation Authority</h3>
<p>Each Member State of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) must establish an <i>Accident investigation authority</i> in accordance with ICAO Annex 13.</p>
<p>Each Member State of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) must establish an <i>Accident investigation authority</i> in accordance with ICAO Annex 13.</p>
<p>This article includes some extracts from Annex 13 which explain the role of an <i>Accident investigation authority</i>, and lists the Accident investigation authorities relevant to the ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation for MH370.</p>
<p>This article includes some extracts from Annex 13 which explain the role of an <i>Accident investigation authority</i>, and lists the Accident investigation authorities relevant to the ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation for MH370.</p>
Line 11: Line 11:
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<ol>
     <li><h5>Independence of the Accident investigation authority</h5><br />
     <li><h5>Independence of the Accident investigation authority</h5>
<p>Annex 13 Section 3.2 states that a 'State shall establish an accident investigation authority that is independent from State aviation authorities and other entities that could interfere with the conduct or objectivity of an investigation'.</p></li>
<p>Annex 13 Section 3.2 states that a 'State shall establish an accident investigation authority that is independent from State aviation authorities and other entities that could interfere with the conduct or objectivity of an investigation'.</p></li>
<br />


<li><h5>Separation from Judicial Authority</h5><br />
<li><h5>Separation from Judicial Authority</h5>
<p>The Objective of an investigation by the <i>Accident investigation authority</i> of an accident or incident 'shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability'. (Annex 13, 3.1)</p>
<p>The Objective of an investigation by the <i>Accident investigation authority</i> of an accident or incident 'shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability'. (Annex 13 Section 3.1)</p>
<p>By contrast, the aim of a Judicial investigation into an aircraft accident would be to determine who was responsible and whether those person(s) should face criminal charges.</p>
<p>By contrast, the aim of a Judicial investigation into an aircraft accident would be to determine who was responsible and whether those person(s) should face criminal charges.</p>
<p>Therefore, Annex 13 para 5.4.1  requires that 'Any investigation conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Annex shall be separate from any judicial or administrative proceedings to apportion blame or liability'.</p>
<p>Therefore, Annex 13 Section 5.4.1  requires that 'Any investigation conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Annex shall be separate from any judicial or administrative proceedings to apportion blame or liability'.</p>
<p>However, Annex 13 para 5.4.4, recommends that 'A State should ensure cooperation between its accident investigation authority and judicial authorities so that an investigation is not impeded by administrative or judicial investigations or proceedings.</p>
<p>However, Annex 13 Section 5.4.4, recommends that 'A State should ensure cooperation between its accident investigation authority and judicial authorities so that an investigation is not impeded by administrative or judicial investigations or proceedings.</p>
<p>This cooperation may be achieved by legislation, protocols, agreements or other arrangements.</p></li>
<p>This cooperation may be achieved by legislation, protocols, agreements or other arrangements.</p></li>
</ol>
</ol>


{{ShortLine}}
<h4>Accident investigation authorities and MH370</h4>
<ol>
<li><h5>Air Accident Investigation Bureau​ (Malaysia)</h5>
<p>The [[Malaysia/AAIB|Air Accident Investigation Bureau​ (Malaysia)]] produced the [[Reports/Preliminary Report 03/2014|Preliminary Report]] following the disappearance of flight MH370. However, instead of naming the AAIB, the Report indicates it was produced by <i>The Office of the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, Ministry of Transport, Malaysia.</i></p></li>
<li><h5>The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370</h5>
<p>A total of seven Accident investigation authorities were represented on the The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370. These are identified by Country, below:- </p>
<div class="margin50">
<dl>
<dt>Australia </dt><dd>[[Australian Transport Safety Bureau]] (ATSB) </dd>
<dt>United Kingdom </dt><dd>[[United Kingdom/AAIB|Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] (AAIB) </dd>
<dt>Singapore</dt><dd>[[Singapore/TSIB|Transport Safety Investigation Bureau]] (TSIB) of Singapore (formerly Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB))</dd>
<dt>France </dt><dd>[[France/BEA|Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation civile]] (BEA) </dd>
<dt>People's Republic of China </dt><dd>[[China/CAAC|Civil Aviation Administration of China]] (CAAC)</dd>
<dt>United States of America </dt><dd>[[National Transportation Safety Board (USA)|National Transportation Safety Board]] (NTSB) </dd>
<dt>Indonesia </dt><dd>[[Indonesia/NTSC|National Transportation Safety Committee]] (NTSC)</dd>
</dl>
</div> <!-- End margin -->
</li>
</ol>
{{ShortLine}}


<p>The <i>Accident investigation authority</i>
<h4>Some Relevant Definitions (from ICAO Annex 13)</h4>
 
<div style="margin-left:2em;">
 
 
<p><i>Note.— Guidance on the independence of an accident investigation authority</i> is contained in the Manual of Aircraft Accident and Incident
 
 
 
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE
CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION
Note.— Nothing in the following provisions is intended to preclude the State conducting the investigation from calling
upon the best technical expertise from any source.
General
5.4 The accident investigation authority shall have independence in the conduct of the investigation and have
unrestricted authority over its conduct, consistent with the provisions of this Annex. The investigation shall normally include:
a) the gathering, recording and analysis of all relevant information on that accident or incident;
Chapter 5  Annex 13 — Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation
5-3  10/11/16
b) the protection of certain accident and incident investigation records in accordance with 5.12;
c) if appropriate, the issuance of safety recommendations;
d) if possible, the determination of the causes and/or contributing factors; and
e) the completion of the Final Report.
Where feasible, the scene of the accident shall be visited, the wreckage examined and statements taken from witnesses. The
extent of the investigation and the procedure to be followed in carrying out such an investigation shall be determined by the
accident investigation authority, depending on the lessons it expects to draw from the investigation for the improvement of
safety.
5.4.1 Any investigation conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Annex shall be separate from any judicial
or administrative proceedings to apportion blame or liability.
Note.— Separation can be achieved by the investigation being conducted by State accident investigation authority experts,
and any judicial or administrative proceedings being conducted by other appropriate experts. Coordination, as per 5.10,
between the two processes would likely be required at the accident site and in the gathering of factual information, with due
consideration to the provisions in 5.12.
5.4.2 Recommendation.— The accident investigation autho
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
<h5>Definitions (from Annex 13)</h5>
<dl>
<dl>
<dt>Accident investigation authority. </dt>
<dt>Accident investigation authority. </dt>
<dd>The authority designated by a State as responsible for aircraft accident and incident investigations within the context of this Annex. </dd>
<dd>The authority designated by a State as responsible for aircraft accident and incident investigations within the context of this Annex. </dd>
 
<br />
<dt>Accredited representative. </dt>
<dt>Accredited representative. </dt>
<dd>A person designated by a State, on the basis of his or her qualifications, for the purpose of participating in an investigation conducted by another State. Where the State has established an <b>accident investigation authority</b>, the designated accredited representative would normally be from that authority. </dd>
<dd>A person designated by a State, on the basis of his or her qualifications, for the purpose of participating in an investigation conducted by another State. Where the State has established an accident investigation authority, the designated accredited representative would normally be from that authority. </dd>
 
<br />
<dt>Safety recommendation. </dt>
<dt>Safety recommendation. </dt>
<dd>A proposal of an <b>accident investigation authority</b> based on information derived from an
<dd>A proposal of an accident investigation authority based on information derived from an
investigation, made with the intention of preventing accidents or incidents and which in no case has the purpose of
investigation, made with the intention of preventing accidents or incidents and which in no case has the purpose of
creating a presumption of blame or liability for an accident or incident. In addition to safety recommendations arising
creating a presumption of blame or liability for an accident or incident. In addition to safety recommendations arising
Line 83: Line 65:


</dl>
</dl>
</div> <!-- end margin -->
[[Category:Accident Investigation Authority]]

Latest revision as of 10:12, 22 January 2025


Background

Most countries are members of the ICAO.

It is a requirement of ICAO Annex 13 that each member State create an Accident investigation authority which is both Independent and separate from the State's Judicial authority, as described in more detail below:-


  1. Independence of the Accident investigation authority

    Annex 13 Section 3.2 states that a 'State shall establish an accident investigation authority that is independent from State aviation authorities and other entities that could interfere with the conduct or objectivity of an investigation'.


  2. Separation from Judicial Authority

    The Objective of an investigation by the Accident investigation authority of an accident or incident 'shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability'. (Annex 13 Section 3.1)

    By contrast, the aim of a Judicial investigation into an aircraft accident would be to determine who was responsible and whether those person(s) should face criminal charges.

    Therefore, Annex 13 Section 5.4.1 requires that 'Any investigation conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Annex shall be separate from any judicial or administrative proceedings to apportion blame or liability'.

    However, Annex 13 Section 5.4.4, recommends that 'A State should ensure cooperation between its accident investigation authority and judicial authorities so that an investigation is not impeded by administrative or judicial investigations or proceedings.

    This cooperation may be achieved by legislation, protocols, agreements or other arrangements.



Accident investigation authorities and MH370

  1. Air Accident Investigation Bureau​ (Malaysia)

    The Air Accident Investigation Bureau​ (Malaysia) produced the Preliminary Report following the disappearance of flight MH370. However, instead of naming the AAIB, the Report indicates it was produced by The Office of the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, Ministry of Transport, Malaysia.

  2. The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370

    A total of seven Accident investigation authorities were represented on the The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370. These are identified by Country, below:-



Some Relevant Definitions (from ICAO Annex 13)

Accident investigation authority.
The authority designated by a State as responsible for aircraft accident and incident investigations within the context of this Annex.

Accredited representative.
A person designated by a State, on the basis of his or her qualifications, for the purpose of participating in an investigation conducted by another State. Where the State has established an accident investigation authority, the designated accredited representative would normally be from that authority.

Safety recommendation.
A proposal of an accident investigation authority based on information derived from an investigation, made with the intention of preventing accidents or incidents and which in no case has the purpose of creating a presumption of blame or liability for an accident or incident. In addition to safety recommendations arising from accident and incident investigations, safety recommendations may result from diverse sources, including safety studies.