Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2012
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau—(1) For the purpose of carrying out investigation into accidents, serious incidents and incidents referred to in sub-rules (1), (2) and (4) of rule 5, the Central Government shall set up a Bureau in the Ministry of Civil Aviation known as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India and appoint other persons, as it deems fit from time to time.
(2) The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau shall function under overall supervision and control of Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation.
(3) The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau shall discharge the following functions, namely :-
(a) obtaining preliminary report under rule 9 from any person or persons authorised either under sub-rule (1) of rule 9 or under sub-rule (2) of rule 7;
(b) assisting the Central Government in setting up of Committee of Inquiry and formal investigation under these rules;
(c) to facilitate the investigation and administrative work of the Committees and Courts, whenever necessary.
(d) processing of the reports of Courts and Committees of Inquiry received by the Central Government, which includes –
(i) forwarding of the reports to the States for consultation under sub-rule (1) of rule 14;
(ii) forwarding the report made public by the Central Government under sub-rule (2) of rule 14 to the States as required under Annex 13;
(iii) forwarding the report made public by the Central Government under sub-rule (2) of rule 14 to ICAO if the mass of the aircraft involved in accident or incident is more than 5,700kg;
(e) follow-up the recommendations made by Courts and Committees of inquiry and to ensure that are implemented by the concerned agencies;
(f) to process cases for a resolution by the Central Government of disputes between the Bureau and any agency regarding implementation of a recommendation;
(g) to formulate safety recommendation on the basis of safety studies, including induction of new technology to enhance safety, conducted from time to time.
(h) establish and maintain an accident and serious incident database to facilitate the Director-General of Civil Aviation in effective analysis of information on actual or potential safety deficiencies.
(i) to process obligations of the Central Government under Annex 13 to the Convention relating to International Civil Aviation signed at Chicago on the 7th day of December, 1944 as amended from time to time; and
(j) any other functions, which the Central Government may ask the Bureau to perform from time to time under these rules.
(4) The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau may, by notification in the Official Gazette and with the previous approval of the Central Government, make procedures, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act to carry out the purposes of these rules and the functions referred to in sub-rule (3).
(5) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such procedures may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely :-
(a) the persons required to notify the accidents and incidents;
(b) the notification of accidents and serious incidents to International Civil Aviation Organisation and the States for participation in the investigation;
(c) the investigation of aircraft accident and incidents;
(d) the format of preliminary and reports of Committee of Inquiry and Formal Investigation conducted under these rules;
(e) the consolidation and follow-up of safety recommendations made by the Committee of Inquiry and Formal Investigation with the agencies required to implement the recommendations and require action taken reports from these agencies; and
(f) any other matter subsidiary or incidental to aircraft accident and incident investigation.
