Aircraft

Accident
Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration

Presented By:

Gary D. Romero

1
 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

2
 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

3
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

4
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

5
 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

6
 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.)
7
 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?

8
 Air Traffic Involvement (cont.)

• It is critical to assess the circumstances surrounding

aircraft accidents to determine air traffic involvement.

9
 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.

10
 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

11
 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.

12
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