Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation
The governing idea
Investigation in PNG follows Annex 13 and is run by the Accident Investigation Commission, independent of CASA PNG. Its sole objective is the prevention of accidents and incidents; it is not a forum for apportioning blame or determining liability. That is why investigation reports are protected and why the investigator, not the regulator, controls the wreckage.
Accident or incident?
An accident involves a fatality or serious injury, substantial damage to the aircraft or its structure, or the aircraft being missing or inaccessible. An incident is an occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft that affects or could affect safety. Serious incidents are listed categories - near collisions, uncontained engine failure, runway incursions of a serious nature, and similar events.
Duties of the pilot
Notify promptly - in PNG a serious occurrence must be reported without delay to the AIC and the Authority. Preserve the scene: do not move the wreckage except to rescue survivors, prevent fire or protect property, and do not erase or overwrite recorders. Keep documents and records, and do not discuss findings publicly.
Worked example
A turboprop veers off the runway, strikes a light and bends a propeller blade and engine mount. Because the damage is substantial rather than cosmetic, this is an accident, not an incident, and the notification and preservation duties apply in full.
Traps
- Reporting it as an "incident" to avoid scrutiny - misclassification is itself an offence.
- Moving wreckage before the investigator authorises it.
- Assuming the report will be used against you in a disciplinary hearing.
- Forgetting that serious incidents carry the same notification urgency.