Aircraft Accident Investigation

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Aircraft Accident Investigation

• The Federal Aviation Administration
• Presented By
• Gary D. Romero

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.)

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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?

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Air Traffic Involvement (cont.)

• It is critical to assess the circumstances
  surrounding aircraft accidents to determine air
  traffic involvement.

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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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