Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and Functions bring to your perusal the government agency known as Accident Investigation Bureau.
Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria
Brief History of Accident Investigation Bureau
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Before now, accident investigations were overseen by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) of the Ministry of Aviation. The CAD also handled Airworthiness Certification in addition to its investigative functions back then.
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These functions were separated to comply with ICAO Annex 8 (Airworthiness of Aircraft) and Annex 13 (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) to avoid issues with objectivity in role execution.
In 1989, the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) was established and the Civil Aviation Department became the Department of Safety Services within the new FCAA and a new investigative department. Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), was created on the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Policy (2001) recommended the formation of a financially independent Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, aimed at ensuring operation as an Agency to guarantee speedy response and movement of staff to accident sites.
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The policy also declares that the Bureau shall be responsible for the investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents as well as the publication of investigation reports.
The Civil Aviation Act 2006 is the primary law that formulated the Accident Investigation Bureau as an autonomous agency that reports to the President of the Federation through the Honorable Minister of State (Aviation). The Bureau is led by a Commissioner who is also the Chief Executive Officer.
Functions of Accident Investigation Bureau in Nigeria
Being saddled with the task of investigating the accident, the Accident Investigation Bureau does these:
1. Maintenance Of Air Safety
The basic obligation of the Accident Investigation Bureau is to ensure improved aviation safety by determining the circumstances and causes of air accidents and serious incidents and providing safety recommendations intended to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents. The purpose of this is not to apportion blame or liability but to curb and prevent such from happening.
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2. Investigation of Air Accidents
The Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is a unit under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, saddled with the responsibility of investigating any civil aircraft accident and serious incident occurring on the course of air navigation either in or over Nigeria or occurring a Nigerian aircraft elsewhere around the world.
The Accident Investigation Bureau achieves this by constant supervision of aircraft within its territory.
3. Adequate Information Concerning Air Safety
Being an institution saddled with the task of investigating Aircraft accidents, the Accident Investigation Bureau has also been able to provide constant updates on Air safety tips just to prevent the risk of air accidents.
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Over the years, the Accident Investigation Bureau has played a vital role in ensuring safety in air travel and even in the investigation of air-related accidents.
Thus, it is evident that the Agency has lived up to the expectations leading to its establishment.
