The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB) has commenced afive-day training programme for 24 newly appointed investigators and staff in Accra.The investigators who were drawn from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority(GCAA), Ghana Air Force, experienced pilots and Aircraft Engineers would be taking through document and preservation of evidence, aircraft accident investigation techniques and how to collect, technically termed indoctrinatio programme.
The Acting Commissioner of the Bureau, Mr Akwesi Agyeibi Prempeh in his opening remarks said the five- day training programme is expected to help the investigators to familiarize with standards and recommended practices relating to accidents and Incidents investigation ofInternational Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).He said that participants would be provided with knowledge on aircraft operations and relevant technical areas of aviation as well as how to obtain and manage the relevant technical assistance and resources required to support investigations.
“The establishment of the Bureau shows the country’s commitment to International CivilAviation Organisation”, he said.According to him AIB was mandated to independently investigate, prevent, regulate and oversee the management of aircraft accidents and Incidents in the country and the Accra FlightInformation Region.In carrying out its mandate, he said the bureau was mindful of the high safety and security standards achieved by the country in global aviation and was committed to maintaining or improving on those standards.He explained that the training was in line with AIB’s policy to keep investigators abreast with processes and procedures that govern the conduct of investigations into aircraft accident andincident .
Mr. Prempeh reteirated that aircraft accident and incident investigation and prevention,was a specialized task, which could only be undertaken by qualified and experienced pilots, aeronautical engineers and other qualified personnel in flight operations, airworthiness and air traffic management.The programme according to him was the initial training on several phases of accident investigations and prevention, designed to present the functions of the AIB as well as legislation, policies and procedures for the conduct of investigation and prevention into aircraft accidents.
The Commissioner was optimistic that the training programme will further enhance the knowledge and understanding in emerging practices in aircraft accidents and incidents