Aircraft

Accident
Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration

Presented By:

Gary D. Romero

What is an Aircraft Accident?

An aircraft accident is an occurrence that results

in serious personal injury or death, or substantial
damage to the aircraft or other property

The ATS Role

What is the ATS role in aircraft accident investigation?
To investigate air traffic involvement in the accident
To provide support to other organizations investigating
the accident

The Air Traffic Investigation

The Investigator-In-Charge (IIC)

The Collection of Data
Air Traffic Involvement
Support to Other Organizations
Other Elements
The Final Report

The Investigator-In-Charge (IIC)

IIC Responsibilities
Supervise and coordinate the investigation
Organize data collection
Conduct personnel interviews
Relieve facility workload
Coordinate with outside entities (NTSB,
media)
Oversee investigation

IIC (cont.)
Support aircraft investigation
Provide air traffic data
Act as liaison with the air traffic
facility
Assess air traffic involvement
Review events leading to accident
Provide feedback to
headquarters/facility
Make recommendations for
changes
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Data Collection

Voice recordings
Transcripts
Controller statements
Flight progress strips
Facility procedures
Letters of agreement
Letters to airmen
Airport/airspace charts

Facility training
Position logs
Equipment
Recorded radar data
Weather data
Air traffic services
Aircraft procedures
(approaches, etc.)

Air Traffic Involvement

Were facility procedures followed?
Was the aircraft cleared in accordance with
the published flight procedures?
Were weather limitations considered?
Was controller training adequate?
Were appropriate services provided?

Air Traffic Involvement (cont.)

It is critical to assess the circumstances

surrounding aircraft accidents to determine air
traffic involvement.

Support to Other Organizations

The IIC acts as a liaison to provide aircraft
investigators with air traffic data to support the
investigation effort.
The IIC cooperates with outside organizations.

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Other Elements
The IIC is cognizant of the emotional impact of
the accident on the involved operational personnel
Conducts interviews
May refer involved persons to employee
assistance

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The Final Report

The findings of the final report are supported by
all data collected during the investigation.
The data is filed with the report and retained in
an accident package.
Usual retention of accident packages is 5 years.

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