Airline Accident Investigation Procedure
Airline Accident Investigation Prcedure
"Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect."
-- Capt A. G. Lamplugh, British Aviation Insurance Group
According to the Air Transport Association, a person could fly every day for 3,859 years without being involved in an aircraft accident. That's an accident rate of one accident for every 1.4 million flights, according to a CNN report, based on 2009 data.
Air travel today remains safe, thanks in part to accident investigation. Findings from accident investigators pave the way for changes to be made in aviation, such as recent changes to pilot duty and rest requirements that address the pilot fatigue problem that showed up in many accident reports. These changes are preventing accidents and saving lives.
The accident investigation process is fairly simple on paper, but can be complicated by intangible things like politics, legal action and international differences, as well as physical demands such as rough terrain or post-accident damage from weather. There are many parties and factors involved in aircraft accident investigation, as outlined below.
Groups Involved in an Investigation:
IIC: Every aircraft accident will have an Investigator-In-Charge, or IIC. This is the company or entity in charge of the entire investigation.
NTSB: In America the National Transportation Safety Board is the authority on aircraft accident investigation, with the exception of some government and military accidents. In addition to their domestic duties, NTSB officials are often called to assist in foreign accidents based on experience and knowledge. Further, the NTSB can choose to investigate an incident and complete studies to further enhance aviation safety.
ICAO: The International Civil Aviation Organization doesn't have any authority, but it does produce standards and protocol that should be followed for accidents
"Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect."
-- Capt A. G. Lamplugh, British Aviation Insurance Group
According to the Air Transport Association, a person could fly every day for 3,859 years without being involved in an aircraft accident. That's an accident rate of one accident for every 1.4 million flights, according to a CNN report, based on 2009 data.
Air travel today remains safe, thanks in part to accident investigation. Findings from accident investigators pave the way for changes to be made in aviation, such as recent changes to pilot duty and rest requirements that address the pilot fatigue problem that showed up in many accident reports. These changes are preventing accidents and saving lives.
The accident investigation process is fairly simple on paper, but can be complicated by intangible things like politics, legal action and international differences, as well as physical demands such as rough terrain or post-accident damage from weather. There are many parties and factors involved in aircraft accident investigation, as outlined below.
Groups Involved in an Investigation:
IIC: Every aircraft accident will have an Investigator-In-Charge, or IIC. This is the company or entity in charge of the entire investigation.
NTSB: In America the National Transportation Safety Board is the authority on aircraft accident investigation, with the exception of some government and military accidents. In addition to their domestic duties, NTSB officials are often called to assist in foreign accidents based on experience and knowledge. Further, the NTSB can choose to investigate an incident and complete studies to further enhance aviation safety.
ICAO: The International Civil Aviation Organization doesn't have any authority, but it does produce standards and protocol that should be followed for accidents