EC Proposes New Rules to Investigate, Prevent Civil Aviation Accidents
October 30, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
On Oct. 28, the European Commission (EC) proposed a new regulation on the investigation and prevention of accidents and incidents in civil aviation, noting that more efficient and independent inquiries into the causes of air accidents are essential to enhance the safety of air traffic.
The EC's proposal would also strengthen the rights of air accident victims.
The EC noted that current rules in the European Union (EU) on investigating civil aviation accidents no longer reflect the realities of the internal aviation market and the complexity of the global aviation industry.
Accident investigation requires much more diversified expertise and resources than a decade ago.
The EC said that the EU institutional and legal framework has also changed, notably with the creation of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is responsible for certifying aircraft in the EU.
The EC's proposed regulation aims to create a modern regulatory framework for air accident investigation. The centerpiece of this proposal is the establishment of a European Network of Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authorities, which will coordinate and strengthen cooperation between EU member states, the EC and EASA, as well as implement a number of central functions, such as coordinating training activities or sharing investigation resources available in the EU.
The proposed measures will clarify the role of all parties involved, better protect important safety information and guarantee the independence of investigations.
Furthermore, the proposal aims at strengthening the implementation of safety recommendations. It will require that every recommendation resulting from an investigation be assessed and acted upon, if justified. The establishment of a European database of safety recommendations is also proposed.
In addition, the regulation will strengthen the rights of victims of air accidents through common rules requiring the provision of rapid and organized assistance in the case of an accident. Victims and their families will be guaranteed the right to reliable information about the progress of an ongoing investigation.
"One of the main priorities of European air transport policy is to increase air passenger safety. I believe that the new rules we propose today will improve the quality of accident investigations and the implementation of safety recommendations," said EC vice president Antonio Tajani, commissioner responsible for transport.
"Accident investigations help us gain valuable information that can prevent the reoccurrence of such mishaps, which, regretfully, sometimes have tragic consequences. Lives can therefore be saved through improved investigation. These new rules will also better protect the rights of the victims of air accidents."
For more information, see the EC's web page on Civil Aviation Accident Investigation.
Source: European Commission (EC).