Chronology

Chronology

• 1944 
  The legal foundation of the BEA was originally based on the Convention on International Civil Aviation—known as the Chicago Convention and the provisions of its Annex 13 (1951). The general organization of investigations is codified therein, as are the rules regarding the notification of occurrences and the presentation and dissemination of findings. States are required to open an investigation in the event of a civil aviation accident or serious incident occurring on their territory. It is specified that, "The sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability." The close involvement of representatives from the States of registry, operator, design, and manufacture provides the investigating State with the expertise required to conduct the investigation. Annex 13 stipulates that personal information collected during the investigation (such as cockpit voice recordings or medical records) shall not be used for purposes other than safety. 
   
• 1946
  Provisions to be implemented in the event of an aviation accident, irregularity, or technical incident involving civil aircraft that posed a risk to persons and equipment (Directive from the Minister of public works and transport, signed by Max Hymans, SGACC (Secretariat general for civil and commercial aviation)).
   
• 1946
  Date of creation of entity that would become the BEA.
   
• 1951
  Provision assigning responsibility for the SGACC's accident investigation and safety service to the president of the Air safety section of the IGAC. (Decision by René Lemaire, Secretary General of the SGACC from 1951 to 1956).
   
• 1951
  Definition of the relationship between SGACC investigators and judicial informants. This was supplemented in 1956 by the Directive from the Minister of public works, transport and tourism dated 4 November 1956, signed by Mr. Duclos, Chief of staff of the SGACC.
   
• 1951
  Maurice Bellonte heads the BEA.
   
• 1952
  The General inspectorate is officially tasked with conducting investigations into civil aviation accidents and drawing lessons from them (Decree No 52-73 reorganizes the Inspectorate and assigns it responsibility for investigations following air accidents).
   
• 1953
  Reminder regarding collaboration between administrative investigators and judicial informants; the scope extends to French or foreign civil aircraft and military aircraft within Metropolitan France and the Overseas Territories (interministerial directive). The remit for civil aviation technical investigations following an air accident is henceforth assigned to a central administrative office placed under the immediate authority of the SGACC (Ministerial Decision 968 SGACC AG/1 by the Minister of public works, transport and tourism).
   
• 1957
  Directive from the Secretary of state for public works, transport and tourism regarding measures to be taken in the event of an aviation irregularity, incident or accident. (Directive No 300 IGAC/SA from the Secretary of State for public works, transport, and tourism, A. Pinton).
   
• 1962
  First foundational text for the BEA, setting out its organization and remit: the office responsible for investigations into aviation accidents and incidents within the SGAC is attached to the IGAC and placed under the authority of the President of the air safety and navigation section, who will direct and oversee its activities (Ministerial Order public works and transport signed by Jean Ravanel, Chief of Staff).
   
• 1962
  Order authorizing the expansion of the BEA to include a group of experts for investigations into equipment and operations as well as an administrative section. A ministerial directive which, supplementing the Order of 11 July 1962, and the Directive of 3 June 1957, defines the BEA's remit.
   
• 1972
  Paul Guillevic appointed head of the BEA.
   
• 1980
  Confirmation of the advisability of attaching the BEA to the IGACEM (memo to the Minister of Transport signed by Jacques Villiers, head of the IGACEM).
   
• 1980
  Jean-Pierre Bonny appointed head of the BEA.
   
• 1986
  Robert Davidson appointed head of the BEA.
   
• 1990
  A proposed law to place the concept of technical investigation on a firmer legal footing and define the means for conducting it, within a framework of cooperation with the judicial authority (IGACEM memo regarding potential reform, followed by proposed actions for the Minister).
   
• 1990
  Paul-Louis Arslanian appointed head of the BEA.
   
• 1991
  New organization of the BEA into its current form (Decision No 306 signed by Jean Lévêque, Head of IGACEM).
   
• 1992
  Accident to the Airbus A320 registered F-GGED operated by Air Inter on 20 January 1992 close to Mont Sainte-Odile.
   
• 1994
  European Directive 94/56, which was transposed in 1999 and repealed by European Regulation No 996/2010
   
• 1999
  Law No 99-243 on technical investigations into civil aviation accidents and incidents.
   
• Accident to the Concorde registered F-BTSC operated by Air France on 25 July 2000 at Gonesse.
   
• 2001
  Decree No. 2001-1043 concerning technical investigations into civil aviation accidents and incidents and amending the Civil Aviation Code. Previously known as the "Bureau Enquêtes Accidents", it was renamed the "Bureau d'enquêtes et d'analyses" by a decree dated 8 November 2001, so as not to limit its scope solely to accidents, while retaining the acronym BEA.
   
• 2009
  Accident to the Airbus A330-203 registered F-GZCP and operated by Air France on 1 June 2009 over the Atlantic Ocean.
   
• 2009
  Jean-Paul Troadec appointed Director of the BEA.
   
• 2010
  European regulation No 996/2010 on the investigation and prevention of accidents and incidents in civil aviation and repealing Directive 94/56/EC. This regulation is in line with the Convention on International Civil Aviation and gives legal force to the provisions of its annex in all Member States of the European Union. It establishes the authority of the safety investigation bodies and their national character, institutes a network grouping these authorities, organises the participation of the European union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the national civil aviation authorities of the member States in the investigations and establishes new procedures for the exchange of information between stakeholders involved in aviation safety, as well as between them and the public.
   
• 2014 
  Rémi Jouty appointed Director of the BEA.
   
• 2014
  BEA/judicial authorities agreement signed by Rémi Jouty, Director of the BEA, and Robert Gelli, Director of criminal affairs and pardons.
   
• 2015
  Accident to the Airbus A320-211 registered D-AIPX operated by Germanwings on 24 March 2015 at Prads-Haute-Bléone.
   
• 2018
  Construction of new BEA hangar.
   
• 2023
  Renovation of structures, equipment and engines section
   
• 2024
  Pierre-Yves Huerre appointed director of the BEA.
   
• 2026
  BEA’s 80th anniversary.