i.

Aircraft Accident
An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which, in the case of a manned
aircraft, takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of
flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, or in the case of an unmanned
aircraft, takes place between the time the aircraft is ready to move with the purpose of flight
until such time as it comes to rest at the end of the flight and the primary propulsion system
is shut down, in which:
a) a person is fatally or seriously injured as a result of:
 being in the aircraft, or
 direct contact with any part of the aircraft, including parts which have become
detached from the aircraft, or
 direct exposure to jet blast,
except when the injuries are from natural causes, self-inflicted or inflicted by other
persons, or when the injuries are to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally
available to the passengers and crew; or
b) the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure which:
 adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the
aircraft, and
 would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component,
except for engine failure or damage, when the damage is limited to a single engine,
(including its cowlings or accessories), to propellers, wing tips, antennas, probes, vanes,
tires, brakes, wheels, fairings, panels, landing gear doors, windscreens, the aircraft skin
(such as small dents or puncture holes), or for minor damages to main rotor blades, tail
rotor blades, landing gear, and those resulting from hail or bird strike (including holes in
the radome); or
c) the aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible.

ii. Serious Incident

An incident involving circumstances indicating that there was a high probability of an
accident and associated with the operation of an aircraft which, in the case of a manned
aircraft, takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention
of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, or in the case of an
unmanned aircraft, takes place between the time the aircraft is ready to move with the
purpose of flight until such time as it comes to rest at the end of the flight and the primary
propulsion system is shut down.
2. a)
 Passengers
 People on ground who may be injured or whose property may be damaged
 Media
 Insurance companies
 Fire fighters
 Emergency rescue services
 Accident investigators
 Police
 State of design
 State of occurrence
 State of operator
 State of registry
 State of manufacture

b) The chief investigator as the name suggests is the person who leads and directs the
accident investigation team. His role during the investigation is quite very critical. He must
ensure the efficiency and the quick completion of the investigation. He needs to plan the
investigation and its operations from the beginning to the end. He provides information
so that no information released to public will obstruct or affect the further continuation
of the investigation. The chief investigator is responsible for his team

3. a) The investigation team consists of several very experienced individuals from various
parts of the aviation industry. They provide the much needed expertise during the
investigation process.
 Chief investigator
 Aircraft maintenance engineer
 Aeronautical Engineer
 ATC
 Expert in the field of meteorology
b) i)
 Gloves
 Sweaters
 Boots with spiked soles to provide traction in icy conditions
 First aid kit
 Food and hot water flask
 Torch
 Paper
 Camera and batteries
 Ropes and other equipment

ii) Firstly, temporary accommodation ne to be setup close to the site of crash that should
suffice till the end of the investigation. Given the place of the accident, evidence would
perish soon, therefore investigation should be carried out at a rapid pace. The chief
investigator should brief the team about the plan and the safety precautions the team
should follow during investigation. The investigators should be very helpful with the local
people and make sure no outsiders or unauthorized personnel enter the site to protect
the evidence. Enough photographs should be made simultaneous to the investigation
process.

4.
a) As per the ICAO, accident investigations are performed to prevent future accidents
or incidents from taking place and not to apportion blame or liability.
b) When the aircraft of a contracting state has crashed on another contracting state,
then the state of occurrence should notify the:

• State of registry
• State of operator
• State of manufacturer
• State of design and
• ICAO incase the aircraft mass is greater than 2250Kg of is a turbojet aircraft by
the quickest possible ways and means.
 GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, SRI LANKA

DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

NAME OF LECTURER: MR. HM RANGANA SAMANPRIYA

NAME: KKC AACHINTHYA

REG NO: ENG/F/0038

STREAM: AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 27/10/2018