What are a State’s reporting obligations during and after an aircraft accident investigation?
Under Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention, States in charge of an investigation must submit a Preliminary Report to ICAO within thirty days of the date of the accident, unless the Accident/Incident Data Report has been sent by that time. Preliminary Reports may be marked as confidential or remain public at the investigating State’s discretion.
The State conducting the investigation of an accident or incident shall also make the Final Report publicly available as soon as possible and, if possible, within twelve months.
If the report cannot be made publicly available within twelve months, the State conducting the investigation shall make an interim statement publicly available on each anniversary of the occurrence – detailing the progress of the investigation and any safety issues identified.
For accidents or incidents involving an aircraft of a maximum mass over 5 700 kg, States in charge of an Annex 13 investigation must submit a copy of the accident investigation Final Report to ICAO.
How is it decided which States will participate in an aircraft Accident Investigation?
Article 26 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) states that, in the event of an accident to an aircraft of a Contracting State occurring in another Contracting State, and involving either death, serious injury, or serious technical defect in the aircraft or air navigation facilities, the State in which the accident occurs will institute an inquiry into the circumstances of the accident.
Annex 13 (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) to the Convention provides further international requirements for the investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents. It spells out which States may participate in an investigation, such as the States of Occurrence, Registry, Operator, Design and Manufacture. It also defines the rights and responsibilities of such States.
The State of Occurrence may delegate all or part of the investigation to another State or a regional accident and incident investigation organization, and may call on the best technical expertise available from any source to assist with the investigation. States of Registry, Operator, Design and Manufacture who participate in an investigation are entitled to appoint an accredited representative (with or without associated advisers) to take part in the investigation.
A State which has a special interest in an accident, by virtue of fatalities or serious injuries to its citizens for instance, is entitled to appoint an expert entitled to: visit the scene of the accident; have access to the relevant factual information which is approved for public release by the State conducting the investigation, and information on the progress of the investigation; receive a copy of the accident investigation Final Report. ICAO officials only participate in accident investigations upon special request from the State responsible for conducting the investigation.
Aviation Security
Q. What happens during airport screening for persons wearing head coverings, and other cultural, ceremonial or religious attire?
A. Such persons with head coverings, loose-fitting or bulky attire may undergo additional security screening, which may include a pat-down or go through a body scanner where one is available. A pat-down will be conducted by an airport screener of the same gender. If an alarm cannot be resolved through a pat-down, the person may be asked to remove the head covering in a private screening room. Religious knives, swords and other objects that may be used to endanger the safety of other passengers onboard aircraft are not permitted through the security checkpoint and must be packed in checked baggage. The passenger should inform the airport Security if she/he has religious, cultural or ceremonial items that require special handling.
Q. Are airport screeners Trained?
A. Yes. All security personnel who conduct screening at the airport are required to undergo training as Aviation Security followed by a period of On-Job-Training, before being presented to the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority for certification (the equivalent of licensing) before they can independently undertake their duties.
Q. What happens if a passenger refuses to be screened or goes through the screening checkpoint without having been screened?
A. The screener at the screening checkpoint has an obligation to advise the passenger that he/she is within his/her right to refuse to undergo screening, but that he/she won’t be allowed to fly. Ideally, such a passenger should not be allowed to go through the screening checkpoint to join or mix with those who have been screened since he will compromise their sterility. The screener should further notify the air carrier about such a breach so that the passenger does not board. All those who are in contact with him shall be rescreened before boarding.
Q. Are Police and Military personnel subjected to the same security requirements like other passengers when travelling on aircraft?
A. Yes if they will be using commercial air transport with the other passengers.
No, if they will be using State aircraft, i.e. Police or Military aircraft. In which case, their route and flow to and from the aircraft should be separate from the one used by commercial air transport passengers in order to avoid contamination.
Why do I have to remove my footwear at the security checkpoint?
Depending on the situation, authorities may require that passengers remove their shoes because prohibited items can be embedded inside. Some prohibited items may not be revealed by a walk-through metal detector.
Why are children not excluded from a hand search (pat down)?
All passengers are subject to security controls as well as enhanced or secondary controls in certain circumstances. No category of the passenger can be excluded from screening because this potentially could leave them open to exploitation by terrorists. Where children are concerned, parents are normally allowed to remain present during a hand search.
Does the baggage I check in at the airport undergo a security check?
Everything that is loaded on an aircraft for an international flight, including hold baggage, is inspected according to national requirements that must meet the baseline standards set by SSCAA and our partner ICAO.
I had a bad experience going through security. What can I do about it?
You can inform the relevant national authority about your unpleasant experience, preferably in writing, with a request for a reply. Generally, authorities responsible for aviation security want to be aware of passenger concerns.
Is airline food inspected prior to boarding?
All items to be loaded on an aircraft engaged in commercial passenger transport have to be inspected beforehand. With regard to items supplied by caterers, carts and their contents are examined for restricted items or signs of tampering before they are dispatched to the aircraft. Carts and containers are secured in some cases with tamper-evident seals following inspection.
Are pilots and flight attendants checked at security?
Flight crew members must be subjected to security measures. This process is usually not apparent to passengers, however, because flight crew typically use a separate checkpoint.
Why does airport security sometimes open hold baggage?
All baggage must undergo a security check. Whenever detection equipment raises an alarm, the bag is given special attention. If the alarm cannot be resolved by a simple examination, it may be necessary for authorized personnel to open the bag and physically inspect its contents.
My friend was told by a flight attendant to “tone it down”. Did he have to comply?
Cabin crew have the authority to intervene whenever a passenger’s behaviour is judged to be unruly, causing discomfort to others. This authority is given to crew members under the Tokyo Convention of 1963.
Any other questions?
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