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

Inspectors of Air Accidents

8.—(1) For the purpose of carrying out investigations into accidents and incidents to which these Regulations apply, the Secretary of State shall, subject to paragraph (2) below, appoint persons as Inspectors of Air Accidents, one of whom shall be appointed by the Secretary of State as Chief Inspector of Air Accidents.

(2) The body of Inspectors of Air Accidents shall continue to form that part of the Department of Transport known as the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6) below, the Chief Inspector shall carry out, or cause an Inspector to carry out, an investigation into—

(a)accidents and serious incidents which occur in or over the United Kingdom;

(b)accidents and serious incidents which occur in or over any country or territory which is neither a member State nor a Contracting State to aircraft registered in the United Kingdom when such an investigation is not carried out by another State;

(c)serious incidents which occur in or over any country or territory which is neither a member State nor a Contracting State to aircraft which are registered elsewhere than in the United Kingdom but which are operated by an undertaking established in the United Kingdom when such an investigation is not carried out by another State; and

(d)accidents and serious incidents to aircraft registered in the United Kingdom in the circumstances described in paragraph 5.3 of the Annex.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6) below, the Chief Inspector may, when he expects to draw air safety lessons from it, carry out, or cause an Inspector to carry out, an investigation into an incident, other than a serious incident, which occurs—

(a)in or over the United Kingdom; or

(b)otherwise than in or over the United Kingdom to an aircraft registered in the United Kingdom.

(5) The Chief Inspector may delegate the task of carrying out an investigation into an accident or an incident to another member State or, in accordance with paragraphs 5.1, 5.1.1 or 5.3 of the Annex, to another Contracting State.

(6) Where the Chief Inspector delegates the task of carrying out an investigation pursuant to paragraph (5) above, he shall so far as he is able facilitate inquiries by the investigator appointed by the relevant State.

(7) The Chief Inspector may carry out, or cause an Inspector to carry out, an investigation into an accident or incident where the task of carrying out the investigation has been delegated to the United Kingdom by another member State or, in accordance with paragraphs 5.1, 5.1.1 or 5.3 of the Annex, by another Contracting State.

(8) Without prejudice to the power of an Inspector to seek such advice or assistance as he may deem necessary in making an investigation, the Secretary of State may at the request of the Chief Inspector appoint persons to assist an Inspector in a particular investigation and such persons shall for the purpose of so doing have such of the powers of an Inspector under these Regulations as may be specified in their appointment.

(9) The Chief Inspector may arrange for any of his powers and obligations under these regulations to be performed on his behalf by an Inspector designated by him to be his deputy.

(10) In any case where the Chief Inspector causes more than one Inspector to carry out an investigation he shall nominate one of them to be in overall charge of the investigation.