Air Accident Investigation Authority

The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA; Chinese: 民航意外調查機構) is responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents in Hong Kong, as well as those in other territories involving a Hong Kong-registered aircraft. It was established in 2018 under the Transport and Housing Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong.

Air Accident Investigation Authority
民航意外調查機構

Aerial view of Chek Lap Kok Airport, where AAIA is headquartered
Agency overview
Formed10 September 2018 (2018-09-10)
JurisdictionGovernment of Hong Kong
Headquarters1 Tung Fai Road
Lantau, New Territories
Agency executive
  • Man Ka-chai, Chief Accident and Safety Investigator
Parent agencyTransport and Housing Bureau
Air Accident Investigation Authority
Traditional Chinese民航意外調查機構
Simplified Chinese民航意外调查机构

Its head office is on the property of Hong Kong International Airport.[1]

Background

Investigating aviation accidents was previously the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD), Hong Kong's civil aviation authority. In 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) implemented new standards requiring that member states maintain air accident investigation authorities that are independent of civil aviation authorities and related entities.[2] This aims to ensure that accident investigations are conducted objectively, as the regulatory environment and air traffic control system may fall within the remit of an investigation.[3]

The new ICAO standards took effect in November 2016, and were recommended for implementation within two years. To meet the new requirements, the Hong Kong Government set up the AAIA under the Transport and Housing Bureau.[2] Its director, holding the title of chief inspector of accidents, took office on 10 September 2018, thereby marking the formal establishment of the AAIA.[4] The legislative framework for the new agency came into effect on 3 December 2018, formally transferring relevant functions and powers of the director-general of civil aviation (the head of the CAD) to the chief inspector of accidents.[5]

Chief investigators

The AAIA is led by a Chief Accident and Safety Investigator (formerly Chief Inspector of Accidents):[6]

# Name Tenure start Tenure end Tenure length
1 Darren Gregory Straker 10 September 2018 April 2020
2 Man Ka-chai April 2020 Incumbent

References
  1. "Contact Us". Air Accident Investigation Authority. Retrieved 19 June 2019. Level G, Facility Building, 1 Tung Fai Road, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong - Traditional Chinese address: "香港大嶼山香港國際機場東輝路1號設施大樓地下" // Simplified Chinese address: "香港大屿山香港国际机场东辉路1号设施大楼地下"
  2. "Establishing an Independent Air Accident Investigation Authority and Amendments to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B)" (PDF). Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development. 27 March 2017.
  3. Siu, Phila (10 September 2018). "Hong Kong appoints new chief air accident investigator to run independent authority". South China Morning Post.
  4. "Appointment of Chief Inspector of Accidents". Hong Kong Government. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  5. "Commencement of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) (Amendment) Regulation 2017". Air Accident Investigation Authority. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  6. "Hong Kong appoints new chief air accident investigator to run independent authority".
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