This paper deals with the challenges faced when investigating accidents related to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The first aim is to generate statistical data on UAV accidents and to use that data to gain insights into the types and reasons for the accidents. From those insights, this paper identifies the challenges being presented to investigators […]
Challenges in Investigating UAV Accidents Read More »
The role of the media when covering a major aviation accident is often criticised. While the media may argue they are simply doing their job and satisfying the public’s desire for information – investigators though, do comment (and provide criticism) on HOW the media conduct themselves when reporting accidents. Christopher Payne, senior visiting research fellow
The role of the media when covering a major aviation accident Read More »
The US Naval Safety Center describes an accident as “a failure of an organization’s overall safety program” . The underlying premise of this definition is the hazards that caused an accident were not discovered in time – and therefore, there was a failure in the organisation for not trapping or preventing those hazards. Attempting to
The downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 as it flew over eastern Ukraine in July 2014 was a tragic event that raised the public’s awareness of the many difficulties faced by aircraft accident investigators. This particular incident drew the focus on the political sensitivities, conflicting governmental responses and also the media’s desire (and need) for quick
The difficulties faced by accident investigators Read More »
Witnesses are one of the primary sources of evidence investigators can utilise when covering an accident. Information obtained from witnesses may provide key aspects such as: whether there was any damage to the aircraft prior to impact; any unusual noises or sounds; was there any sign of smoke or gas in the cabin beforehand and,
The 5 categories of witnesses to an accident Read More »
The scene of an accident involving a large passenger aircraft contains a body of evidence that can take a team of investigators to sift through. Such evidence may consist of damage to the aircraft, injuries to flight crew and passengers and data obtained from the aircraft’s flight recorders. However, there is also a diverse body
What evidence can be obtained away from an accident site? Read More »
It has been suggested that the Group System of aviation accident investigation is inflexible, costly and outdated. Critics claim that the system should be abandoned and instead, introduce a more streamlined approach that consists of a small group of multiskilled investigators who would investigate every accident. While this argument may at first appear economically sensible
Should we abandon the Group System when investigating aviation accidents? Read More »
The Australian Transport Safety Investigation (TSI) Act (2003) defines an accident site as: a site containing the transport vehicle or any of its wreckage; a site where there is an impact point associated with the accident; if the accident involved destruction or serious damage to property (other than the transport vehicle) – a site containing