Air Accident Investigation Comes To Ireland

A major European air accident investigation conference will take place in Dublin later this year with a focus on recent accidents and investigations.

This kicks off the start of Ireland's three year term as head of the European aviation body.

Dublin will host the European Civil Aviation Conference Group of Experts on Accident Investigation (ECAC/ACC) on November 22nd and 23rd, an event which coincides with Ireland’s appointment as Chair of the Group. Up to 100 delegates are expected to attend the event.

The conference will review accidents and serious incidents which occurred in member States over the previous year, including an update by the French and Brazilian authorities on the investigation into the loss of Air France 447 over the Atlantic.

It will also review practices for recovering aircraft wreckage and flight recorders from underwater locations.

This will be the inaugural meeting for the newly appointed Chairman of ECAC/ACC, Jurgen Whyte. Mr Whyte is the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents in the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit, and has been appointed as Chairman of the Group for a three year term.

ECAC was founded in 1955 and is Europe’s oldest aviation body. It brings together civil aviation officials from across Europe, and now includes 44 member States, along with representatives from other civil aviation organisations and countries outside the region such as the USA, Canada, Brazil, Israel, Singapore.

Speaking after his appointment, Mr Whyte said his main goal as Chairman of the Group is to increase direct involvement by all members and associates. "I would like to see ECAC/ACC expand beyond pure accident investigation to include broader aspects of the aviation safety system," he said.

"I am keen for members and observers to share their experiences with us, and find ways to ensure that we have a consistent and focused common approach to independent accident investigation, while taking into account the many players involved and the consequences our investigations have on all interested parties. In particular I want to bring out the international dimension of ECAC/ACC, and most importantly our observers."

(LB/BMcC)