Aircraft Accident / Incident Investigation

Aircraft Accident / Incident Investigation

The terms Aircraft accident and incident are two different meaning in Aviation, so review this to words to understand much better what’s the difference during an accident or during an incident.

Aircraft accident and incident investigation Annex 13 to the convention on International Civil Aviation definitions.

When the following terms are used in the Standards and Recommended practices for Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation they have the following meaning:

Accident: An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, 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, except when the injuries are from natural causes, self-inflicted or inflicted by other persons, or when the injuries are to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally available to the passengers and crew: 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, except for engine failure or damage. when the damage is limited to the engine, its cowlings or accessories: or for damage limited to propellers, wing tips, antennas, tires, brakes, fairings, small dents or puncture holes in the aircraft skin: or

c) The aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible.

Incident: An occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft which affects or could affect the safety of operation.

The types of incidents which are of main interest to the International Civil Aviation Organization for accident prevention studies are listed in Attachment C to Annex 13.

Serious incident: An incident involving circumstances indicating that there was a high probability of an accident and 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.

 The difference between an Accident and a serious incident

(ICAO Annex 13 - Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation)