The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for greater accident investigation compliance by countries around the world. The association's latest figures show that only 47% of accidents reported between 2018 and 2023 resulted in a final report, and only 39 of those reports were delivered within 12 months.
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IATA's Director General, Willie Walsh, said that the lack of accident investigation compliance is a "major concern" for the aviation industry. "We need to learn from accidents to prevent them from happening again," he said. "But if we don't have the full picture, we can't do that."
There are several factors that contribute to the lack of accident investigation compliance. One factor is the lack of resources. Many countries simply don't have the resources to conduct thorough accident investigations. Another factor is skilled staffing shortages. Accident investigations require a high level of expertise, and there is a shortage of skilled investigators in many countries. A third factor is fear of criminalization by airlines and pilots. In some countries, airlines and pilots can be prosecuted for accidents, even if they are not at fault. This can make them hesitant to cooperate with accident investigations.
IATA is calling on countries to improve their accident investigation capabilities and to ensure that investigations are conducted in a timely and thorough manner. The association is also calling for countries to decriminalize accidents so that airlines and pilots feel comfortable cooperating with investigators. The lack of accident investigation compliance is a serious problem for the aviation industry. By improving accident investigation capabilities and decriminalizing accidents, countries can help to make aviation safer for everyone.
Here are some of the specific steps that IATA is calling for:
- Countries should invest in accident investigation resources, including training and equipment.
- Countries should recruit and train more accident investigators.
- Countries should decriminalize accidents so that airlines and pilots feel comfortable cooperating with investigators.
- Countries should implement the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Annex 13 on Accident Investigation, which provides guidance on how to conduct accident investigations.
IATA's call for greater accident investigation compliance is an important step in the right direction. By taking the steps outlined above, countries can help to make aviation safer for everyone.
