Investigation Process

The Aircraft Accident and Incidents Investigation Department (AAIID) is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents in Zimbabwe. The sole objective of the investigation of an accident or an incident shall be the prevention of future accidents and incidents. Subject to the exceptions which may be in terms of the law, the purpose of an investigation shall not be to apportion blame or liability.

An investigation shall include:

  1. The gathering, recording and analysis of all available information and evidence on the accident or incident;
  2. The issuance of safety recommendations;
  3. If possible, the determination of the causes; and
  4. The completion of the final report.

Notification of Accidents and Incidents

When an accident or an incident occurs:-

(a) In or over Zimbabwe; or

(b) Outside Zimbabwe which involves an aircraft registered in Zimbabwe or an aircraft operated by an operator established in Zimbabwe;

  • the pilot in command, or if he or she is incapacitated, the operator of the aircraft and, in the case of an accident or serious incident occurring on or adjacent to an aerodrome, the aerodrome operator, shall, without delay send notice thereof to the Chief Accident Investigator by the quickest means of communication available.
  • Complete ZIM AIG Form No 0002 (Initial Notification Form) and send it via email or complete the online form on the AAIID website. [Contact Details].
  • Provide as much information as possible, including:
    • Aircraft details
    • Accident/incident location, date and time
    • Number of people on board and any injuries or fatalities
    • the presence and description of dangerous goods on board the aircraft, if any
    • the last point of departure and next point of intended landing of the aircraft

Initial Response

Hazards and Precautions for First Responders:

  1. Hazards:
    • Fuel spills and fires
    • Sharp debris
    • Toxic substances
    • Structural instability
    • Biological hazards
  2. Precautions:
    • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • Assess the situation before approaching the site
    • Follow established procedures

Responsibilities of First Responders:

  • Police:
    • Secure the accident site
    • Ensure safety and prevent unauthorized access
    • Document the evidence (including photos and videos)
    • Cooperate with AAIID investigators
  • Fire Fighters:
    • Respond to fires and hazardous situations
    • Preserve evidence and avoid contamination
    • Cooperate with AAIID investigators
  • Air Traffic Control (ATC):
    • Notify AAIID and other relevant authorities
    • Provide information about the accident/incident
    • Cooperate with AAIID investigators
  • Emergency Medical Services:
    • Provide medical assistance to injured persons
    • Transport injured persons to medical facilities as necessary
    • Identify and handle fatalities with dignity and respect
    • Ensure that fatalities are treated with dignity and respect, if any
  • Media:
    • Should cooperate with AAIID and provide accurate information
    • Should respect the investigation process and avoid speculation
    • Should be aware of sensitive information and avoid releasing it without authorization
    • AAIID will provide information to the media as necessary and ensure that sensitive information is protected
  • Airlines and authorities
    • Will provide support and information to relatives and friends of passengers and crew
    • AAIID will provide timely information about the investigation process and progress

Action to be taken on receipt of notification

Upon receipt of a notification, the Chief Accident Investigator shall, without delay, assess the situation to determine the level of investigation, assemble an investigation team and send notifications of the accident or incident, to:

  1. the Authority
  2. the International Civil Aviation Organisation
  3. the State of registry, where the aircraft is not registered in Zimbabwe
  4. the State of the operator, where the operator is not licensed in Zimbabwe
  5. the State of design, where the aircraft is not designed in Zimbabwe
  6. The State of manufacture or final assembly, where the aircraft is not manufactured or assembled in Zimbabwe.

Investigation Process

The AAIID will:

  • Conduct a thorough investigation
  • Gather and analyse evidence
  • Interview witnesses
  • Review relevant documentation
  • Identify causes and contributing factors
  • Develop safety recommendations

Cooperation with AAIID

All Parties should:

  • cooperate with AAIID investigators
  • provide information and assistance as requested
  • preserve evidence and maintain the integrity of the accident site

Reports and Recommendations

The AAIID will produce:

  • Preliminary report (within 30 days)
  • Interim reports (as necessary)
  • Final report (typically within 12 months)
  • Safety recommendations (at any stage of the investigation)

The reports will include:

  • Findings and conclusions
  • Causes and contributing factors
  • Safety recommendations

POWERS OF INVESTIGATORS

  1. An investigator shall have the power: –
  • to require the attendance of such persons as he or she thinks fit, examine them and require them to answer any question or to furnish any information or to produce any books, papers, documents and articles which the investigator may consider relevant and to retain any such books, papers, documents and articles until the completion of the investigations;
  • to take statements from all such persons as he or she thinks fit and to require such person to make and sign a declaration of truth of the statement made by him or her;
  • on production if required of his or her credentials, to enter and inspect any place, building or aircraft the entry or inspection whereof appears to the investigator to be requisite for the purposes of the investigation;
  • on production if required of his or her credentials, to remove, test, take measures for the preservation of evidence or otherwise deal with any aircraft other than an aircraft involved in the accident or incident where it appears to the investigator requisite for the purposes of the investigation; and
  • to direct a pathologist or other qualified person to conduct any autopsy and to provide a report on the results of any such examination, analysis or test.
  1. For the purposes of the investigation of an accident or incident, an investigator shall: –
  • have immediate unrestricted and unhampered access to the site of the accident or incident and to any other place or building on or in which there is or there may be found any object that, in his or her opinion, must be examined;
  • have unhampered access to the aircraft, its contents or its wreckage and unrestricted control over it;
  • have powers to secure and preserve the scene of the accident and to ensure an immediate listing of evidence and controlled removal of debris, or components for examination or analysis purposes;
  • have immediate and unrestricted access to and control over the flight recorders, their contents and any other relevant recordings;
  • when an aircraft involved in an accident or serious incident lands in a State other than the State of Occurrence, Zimbabwe as the State of Registry or the State of the Operator shall, on the request of the State conducting the investigation, furnish the latter State with flight recorders records, and if necessary, the associated f light recorders;
  • in the event that Zimbabwe as the State conducting the investigation of an accident or incident does not have adequate facilities to read out the flight recorders, have access to facilities made available to him or her by other States, giving consideration to the following—
  1. the capability of the read-out facility;
  2. the timeliness of the read-out, and;
  • the location of the read-out facility;
  • have full access to the evidence as may be required, even when such evidence is held under the possession of the courts of Zimbabwe or the police, in which case the enquiring magistrate or the police, as the case may be, shall allow such investigator to access all evidence within the possession of the courts or the Police;
  • request, and contribute to, a complete autopsy examination of the bodies of victims or tests made on samples taken from the bodies of the victims and 976 S.I. 78 of 2018 have access to and be provided with the results of such examinations or tests;
  • request the medical examination of the persons involved in the operation of the aircraft or request tests to be carried out on samples taken from such persons and to have immediate access to and be provided with the results of such examinations or tests;
  • have the power to call and examine witnesses and to require them to furnish or produce information or evidence relevant to the investigation; and
  • have free access to any relevant information or records held by the owner, the certificate holder of the type design, the responsible maintenance organisation, the training organisation, the operator or the manufacturer of the aircraft, the hirer, the authorities responsible for civil aviation, the Authority and air navigation service providers or airdrome operators.
  • The investigator may direct that access be forbidden or restricted, or attach conditions to such access, to any person at, or in the vicinity of an aircraft, including any wreckage or part, or other object, or any site that he or she considers, on reasonable grounds, might be relevant to the investigation of the accident or serious incident, for such period as the investigator considers necessary, to enable a proper investigation to be carried out.

 

Every person summoned by an investigator shall be allowed such expenses as the Chief Accident Investigator may in consultation with the Minister determine.

REPORTING FORMS AND GUIDANCE MATERIAL

Forms for reporting incidents and accidents, including online submission options.

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