This course provides the frameworks, tools, and confidence to investigate the right way; identifying root causes, producing defensible reports, and turning every occurrence into an opportunity to strengthen your SMS. Built on ICAO standards and industry best practices, and delivered by active aviation safety professionals, it is the training that transforms investigations from a compliance checkbox into a genuine safety driver. In aviation, learning from what goes wrong is what keeps everything going right.

This course complements the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Training by focusing on post-occurrence investigation activities and the systematic analysis of accidents and incidents. Participants may benefit from prior completion of the 2-day ERP Training.

Syllabus

•  Refresh core risk management concepts and their application to aviation safety
•  Understand how accidents and incidents occur and how investigations connect to your SMS
• Develop the attributes, roles, and responsibilities of an effective investigator
• Apply HFACS and HFACS-ME frameworks to classify human factors in operational and maintenance contexts
• Navigate the full notification process — internal and external requirements
• Gather and catalogue physical, documentary, and human evidence
• Conduct structured witness interviews
• Determine not just what happened, but why — using ECF Charting, Barrier Analysis, and Root Cause Analysis
• Write findings and Corrective Action Requests (CARs) that drive real change
• Produce clear, objective investigation reports aligned with ICAO Annex 13 standards
• Apply Just Culture principles to build a safety environment where people report openly and lessons are learned

Objectives

• Familiarize attendees with incident and accident investigations protocols and how to apply this knowledge in the context of the SMS
• Understand the boundaries and bridges between internal and official accident investigations
• Ensure resultant work product promotes improved safety levels for your company
• Encourage a process of continual improvement in your company’s incident investigations
• Understand the importance of comprehensive and robust incident & Accident investigation processes
• Prepare an accurate and comprehensive investigation report
• Ensure the investigation report results are utilized in accordance with the SMS requirements

Target Group

Safety Managers and Safety Officers
Designated Internal Incident Investigators
Quality & Compliance Personnel of Air Operators
SMS Auditors and Occurrence Reporting Officers
Ground Operations, Maintenance, and Flight Operations Professionals

Certification 
 

After successfully passing a written exam, the participants will be provided with certificates.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of Airline Operations, Operations Regulatory Framework, Safety Management Systems and Risk Management Processes