Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) recently released a preliminary 15-page report on the fatal Air India flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the deaths of 241 out of 242 people onboard.

Key Findings and Investigation Protocol:

• Preliminary Finding: The report stated that the two engine fuel control switches on board transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ position within a second of each other, moments after lift-off.
• International Governance: Matters of international civil aviation are governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), signed in 1944.
• Oversight Body: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency with 193 member countries (including India, the United States, and the United Kingdom), oversees the Chicago Convention’s technical standards.
• Accident Investigation Protocol (Annex 13):
  • Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention lays out international protocols for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents.
  • It bestows the responsibility for investigation with the ‘State of Occurrence’—the country where the accident happened.
  • Other participating countries with a formal right to participate include:
    • The ‘State of Registry’ (where the aircraft is registered).
    • The ‘State of the Operator’ (which operated the flight).
    • The ‘State of Design’ (of the aircraft).
    • The ‘State of Manufacture’ (of the aircraft).
• India’s Role in AI 171 Investigation: Since the AI 171 air crash occurred on Indian soil, India holds the ‘State of Occurrence’ right. The investigation is thus led by the AAIB.

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB):

• The AAIB is the government agency under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and serious incidents.
• The government can make rules for investigations under Section 7 of the Aircraft Act of 1934.
• Historical Context: Until 2012, the Air Safety Directorate of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation investigated accidents.
• Sole Objective: Under Rule 3 of Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, the sole objective of AAIB investigations is the prevention of accidents and incidents, not to apportion blame or liability.
• The AAIB also conducts safety studies periodically.

(Source: IE)