CIVIL AVIATION (INVESTIGATION OF AIR ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS) REGULATIONS, 2019

Regulations establish procedures for investigating air accidents and incidents in Nigerian airspace. They target the Accident Investigation Bureau, aircraft operators, and air traffic providers. This ensures impartial investigations to prevent future occurrences and enhance aviation safety.

What Is This Policy?

Regulations that establish the procedures and institutional framework for the investigation of air accidents and serious incidents in Nigerian airspace and involving Nigerian-registered aircraft.

Who Does It Target?

Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB-N) Aircraft operators and airline companies Air traffic service providers Civil aviation authorities and safety officers

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Ensure independent, impartial, and thorough investigations of aviation accidents and incidents to determine causes and prevent recurrence, in accordance with ICAO Annex 13.

Key Features

AIB-N Independence: Ensures the Accident Investigation Bureau of Nigeria operates independently from the regulatory authority (NCAA) to avoid conflicts of interest. Investigation Process: Sets out procedures for notification, scene preservation, evidence collection, witness interviews, and technical analysis. Safety Recommendations: Requires the Bureau to issue safety recommendations based on investigation findings, directed at operators, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies. ICAO Compliance: Aligns Nigerian investigation procedures with ICAO Annex 13 Standards and Recommended Practices.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All accidents and serious incidents in Nigerian airspace and involving Nigerian-registered aircraft worldwide Beneficiaries: Air passengers, aviation industry, and the broader public Funding: Federal Government

How to Access

Operators must notify AIB-N immediately upon occurrence of an accident or serious incident Preserve accident site and evidence pending investigation team arrival Application method: Mandatory reporting to AIB-N emergency line; non-voluntary.

Important Terms

Investigation reports may not be used as evidence in criminal proceedings Obstruction of an investigation is a criminal offence Final reports are published publicly with safety recommendations

Official Resources

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

Legal Framework

The Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents) Regulations 2019 are issued under the Civil Aviation Act (as amended) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's rule-making powers. They operate alongside the Accident Investigation Bureau Act and align with ICAO Annex 13 (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) standards. The Air Accident Investigation regulations align with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) methodologies as comparative references.