The Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996

Removal of damaged aircraft

7.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and regulation 9 below, where an accident, or a serious incident which results in the withdrawal from service of an aircraft, occurs in or over the United Kingdom no person other than an authorised person shall have access to the aircraft involved and neither the aircraft nor its contents shall, except under the authority of the Secretary of State, be removed or otherwise interfered with.

(2) Subject to the provisions of section 21(4), (4A) and (5) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979(1) —

(a)the aircraft may be removed or interfered with so far as may be necessary for the purpose of—

(i)extricating persons or animals;

(ii)removing any mail, valuables or dangerous goods carried by the aircraft;

(iii)preventing destruction by fire or other cause;

(iv)preventing any danger or obstruction to the public, air navigation or other transport;

(v)removing any other property from the aircraft under the supervision of an Inspector or with the agreement of an Inspector or of a constable;

(b)if an aircraft is wrecked on water, the aircraft or any of its contents may be removed to such extent as may be necessary for bringing it or them to a place of safety.

(3) In this regulation the expression “authorised person” means—

(a)any person authorised by the Secretary of State either generally or specially to have access to any aircraft involved in an accident or serious incident;

(b)any constable;

(c)any officer of Customs and Excise.