Investigation of aviation accidents and inccidents
An aviation safety investigation in conducted if:
- Any other incident that has endangered flight safety, the investigation of which is considered beneficial for flight safety
- There is an accident in aviation
- A serious incident occurs in aviation
However, the Finnish Accident Investigation Board is not obliged to conduct a safety investigation if, for example, it concerns a historic aircraft, an ultralight aircraft, a glider or an autogyro with certain weight restrictions and number of persons. An investigation may also be conducted for these aircraft if it is assessed that it will provide useful experience from a safety perspective. (Regulation (EU) No 996/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council)
The investigation of an accident or near-miss involving a Finnish aircraft abroad is conducted in accordance with international rules. Accidents in millitary aviation are investigated when the victim is person performing service as referred to in the Millitary Service Act or the Act on Voluntary Millitary Service for Woman.
The sole objective of a safety investigation is to prevent future accidents and incidents
According to Annex 13, paragraph 3.1 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (CIA) (Sop S11/49), the purpose of the investigation of an accident of an aviation accident and its hazardous situation is to prevent accidents.
The purpose of an air investigation and investigation report is not to address any liability or liability for damages that may arise from the accident. This basic rule is also expressed in the Safety Investigation Act (525/2011) and Regulation (EU) No 996/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
Applicable legislation
The investigation of air accidents is based on the Safety Investigation Act (525/2011). Air accidents are investigated as provided for in the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU 996/2010) and as agreed in the Convention on International Civil Aviation (CIA 11/49).