I can' t be specific for aviation, but I could start a reply saying that the capability in investigate accidents is the capability of understanding the dynamic of the events (technical failures, human and organisational shortcomings, etc.) that brought to the accident, tracing them back to the root causes that must be avoided/ controlled in order to avoid the recurrence of the accident itself.

The capability requires a multidisciplinary approach and a strong open-mindness in order to avoid affecting the accident analysis with the analyst prejudice.

The task is complex. I can suggest books and guidelines on that...but let me know if i'm in the right direction.

Micaela

I do appreciate your inputs Micaela, indeed interesting information which suggest that the capability perspective can be seen from different ways. I would argue to say that, in order to be able to achieve what you commented for (understanding the dynamic of the events that brought to the accident, tracing them back to the root causes that must be avoided/ controlled in order to avoid the recurrence of the accident itself) how we can achieve this? How a specific organisation can be able to perform this? Answering this could represent the capability. What you suggested seems to me as an outcomes and results can be gained if the organisation is capable. What do you think? please afford your value feedback on this. Thank you for your cooperation.

Dear Abdulwahd,

First of all, I want to speak generally: An effective Safety Management System is required to achieve this ability. In an effective SMS, an accident is taken into account whether it happened or not. For establishing and efficient SMS, you can refer to ICAO 9859 SMS Manual. For a method, I can suggest, "Bow Tie Method", a method takes the generic hazard into the center, trying to understand both threats and consequences, current defences for them (barriers) and escalation factors to these barriers. You can search it from any search engine and reach to many documents & videos. Also, a software called Bowtie XP is useful to visualize it.

Next, for a proper accident investigation, critical thinking is the most important ability. An Accident-Incident Investigation Team should be formed by people who are trained in critical thinking. Accidents are the result of some complex interactions (SHELL model is useful for it) and to understand these interactions correctly and make an accurate comment; critical thinking is crucial.

Critical thinking is based on knowledge of agents. So these agents should reach to:

- Previous incidents, accidents and occurrence reports (means an effective SMS).

- Crucial Information (For example, for a flight: CVR, FDR, OFP of relevant flight, meteorology, latest CRS of A/C, etc.)

- General view of company culture

- Quality records of company (operator)

These are the information that are in my mind currently. If you have a specific question, I can try to response as an Aviation Safety Expert & Trainer.

Best.

Tevfik.

Dear Tevfik,

Thank you for your valuable information and inputs. It seems to me I was not clear enough to address what I am looking for, my deep apologies for this. Let me ask the question in another way, How can we assume X investigation authority of Y state as capable to handle effectively the investigation of air accident? That means what this organisation shall have in place to assume it as capable organisation. I see you point regarding the accident itself and I totally agree with your answer. In your answer you touched a very important component of a capable investigation authority of a certain state which is TRAINING, I do like that. Thinking in the same direction when trying to propose what a capable organisation shall have to be able to perform the investigation in good manner may suggest that the organisation shall have appropriate staff (Personnel) .

Now we have 2 items Personnel + Training, what else have to be available to make the organisation capable to perform air accident investigation? Any more suggestions?

Thank you for your cooperation,

Regards,

Abdul

Dear Abdul,

You're welcome. Thanks for your challenging question. I have never thought this type of question before, and now, thanks to you, it became a useful thinking activity.

We are talking about authorities so, I can now add some features like following:

I think these are enough to make an authority capable of investigation.

Personnel and Training are are functions which are required for the items above.

Regards.

Tevfik.