Advertising Feature IIX' DAILY NATION Thursday June 21, 2012 HOW TO REPORT AN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT .. . .. --- _.... .. - ._. __ . -_._----_._--_.... -._-~ Transport Minister, Amos Kimunya listens to speakers during a training forum for aviation personnel and operators held in Nairobi under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). On his right is Permanent Secretary, Dr Cyrus Njiru, Chairman, KCAA, Mr. Charles Wako and ICAO Regional Representative, Mr. Meshesha Belaynah. Kenya Civil Aviation Authority was co-host of the Aviation State Safety Programme/Safety Management Systems seminar. It is very essential that all aircraft accidents and serious iflcidents involving civil registered aircraft be notified immediately to air accident investigation department (MID) by the most expeditious means. MANDATE ~ "" ...- -~-"'- ""~,.,~. - ~ --~ Aircraft Accident Investigation is a state function, obligated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Convention to which Kenya is a signatory.Article 26 of the Convention requires that if an aircraft accident occurs in a State, that State is obligated to investigate the accident and provide a report in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention and this is mandatory according to the ICAO Convention. MID derives its mandate from section 8A(ii) of the civil aviation (Amendment) Act,2002 which vests certain international obligations on the Minister responsible for matters relating to civil aviation (Minister ofTransport). The Minister through this Act is responsible for investigation of Civil Aircraft Accidents and Incidents. : : : : : : Aircraft type and its registration. : Location of the accident, including direction on how to : : reach the site. : Date and time of accident or serious incident Number and extent of injuries to the occupants or : : others Description of the accident or serious incident and the extent of damage to the aircraft so far as is known Name and telephone number of the originator of the Accident free aviation environment advice and other information. -Anyone who witnesses an aircraft accident should voluntarily report to the AJ\ID in addition to alerting emergency services as required and providing as much information as possible:- Accident ormcident reporlmg Aircraft accident and incident has to be reported immediately to MID by the owner, operator or crew of the aircraft or any individual witness of the accident by the fastest means possible. MISSION ................... ~-~~ ~ ~ ~ To prevent aircraft accidents mainly through effective and professional investigations of all aircraft accidents and incidents which occur in Kenya and to all Kenyan registered aircraft worldwide OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT "_""~ "",'TO\- _~·'_il;IM!il!"';III'I~i!J.Hril,,~~.,.,tn"',"m-i!;'~~_;l,~~~~f Investigate all aircraft accidents and serious incidents in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 • Publish and disseminate accidents investigation reports • Make recommendations to improve safety • Manage an accident prevention system and publish bulletins • Maintain a team of competent personnel recurrence. : 3. Ensure all facts and circumstances leading to ' an accident or serious incident are recorded (database) and evaluated and that action is taken to prevent similar occurrence in the future. : 4. Follow up implementation of aviation safety . recommendations e.t.c. : " ' It is not the role of MID to apportion blame or liability. ACCIDENT I INCIDENT? : : : : : : : : 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; 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; or c) The aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible. Serious incident - An incident involving circumstances indic&ting that there was a high probability of an accident. THE ROLE OF AAID 'lI!,;"."~-._~.,, FLIGHT SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Investigate aircraft accidents and serious incidents that occur within the Kenyan airspace related to civil aircraft operations and publish final reports in accordance with Kenyan legislation and international civil aviation organization (ICAO) Annex 13 2. Prevent aircraft accidents and serious incidents and improve aviation safety by determining the causes and issue safety recommendations intended to prevent COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "BLACK BOXES"