ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BUREAU (INVESTIGATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL)

A Policy outlines procedures for investigating aviation accidents and incidents in Nigeria, ensuring compliance with international standards. It targets accident investigators, aviation authorities, and involved operators. This promotes safer aviation practices by identifying causes and recommending improvements.

What Is This Policy?

The internal policy and procedures manual of the Accident Investigation Bureau of Nigeria (AIB-N) governing how aviation accidents and serious incidents are investigated in compliance with ICAO Annex 13.

Who Does It Target?

AIB-N accident investigators and management Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Airlines, operators, and manufacturers involved in investigated events International investigation partners and safety authorities

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Ensure all aviation accident and incident investigations in Nigeria are conducted in a systematic, impartial, thorough, and ICAO-compliant manner to identify causes and issue safety recommendations.

Key Features

Investigation Process: Defines each phase of an investigation from notification and deployment through evidence collection to final report. Evidence Management: Specifies procedures for securing, preserving, labelling, and analysing all forms of physical and documentary evidence. Safety Recommendations: Describes the process for identifying safety deficiencies and issuing safety recommendations to prevent recurrence. International Cooperation: Governs cooperation with foreign investigation authorities and manufacturers in accordance with ICAO Annex 13.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All aviation accidents and serious incidents in Nigerian airspace Beneficiaries: Aviation safety; passengers; the industry Funding: Federal Government

How to Access

Operators must cooperate fully with AIB-N investigations Evidence must not be moved or disturbed at accident sites without AIB-N authorisation Investigators have right of access to all persons, records, and physical evidence relevant to the investigation Application method: Report accidents immediately to AIB-N emergency line: +234-9-5236575.

Important Terms

Investigation reports cannot be used as evidence in criminal or civil proceedings Interfering with an investigation is a criminal offence Safety recommendations must be formally responded to by the addressee within 90 days

Official Resources

Website: https://www.aib.gov.ng Contact: Accident Investigation Bureau of Nigeria (AIB-N)

Legal Framework

Issued under the statutory mandate of the Accident Investigation Bureau of Nigeria (AIB-N) established by the Accident Investigation Bureau (Establishment, etc.) Act. Operates within the framework of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCA-R), and ICAO Annex 13 (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation). Aligns with the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation to which Nigeria is a party.