AAIU Response to Notification of Occurence

A core element of the AAIU response to notification of an occurrence is the 24 hour/365 day Inspector-on-Call (IOC) duty roster.  During normal working hours the Administration staff will refer all notifications to the IOC.  Outside of normal duty hours, the duty IOC will receive notifications directly to the IOC mobile.

The obligation to investigate is based around specific definitions for accidents, serious incidents and incidents.

Accident

‘accident’ means 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 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 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.

Serious Incident

‘serious incident’ means an incident involving circumstances indicating that there was a high probability of an accident and is 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 it comes to rest at the end of the flight and the primary propulsion system is shut down.

Incident

‘incident’ means an occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft which affects or could affect the safety of operation.

After due consideration of information provided and following consultation with the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents (CIAA) or their designate, the decision to Investigate and the level of response will be determined.

All occurrences that come within the remit of the AAIU to investigate are entered into the European Co-Ordination Centre for Aviation Incident Reporting Systems (ECCAIRS) database.