Criteria for categorizing investigations conducted by the BEA
The BEA has defined the scope and conditions of the safety investigations, taking into account the consequences of the accident or serious incident and the lessons it intends to draw from them with a view to improving aviation safety.
Category 1 investigation
An investigation which involves several lines of analysis of an organizational and/or systemic nature, and which leads to the drafting of a report based on the complete structure proposed by ICAO Annex 13. Category 1 investigations generally lead to safety recommendations being issued. Category 1 investigations are systematically carried out into accidents involving aircraft operating under an Air Operator’s Certificate, with a maximum certificated take-off mass of more than:
5.7 t for an aeroplane, or,
3.18 t for a helicopter,
during which:
at least one person on board was fatally injured, or,
an emergency evacuation was carried out and the aircraft was destroyed, or,
the aircraft is reported missing.
Category 2 investigation
An investigation in which the detailed research and analysis are circumscribed in such a way as to give rise to a “simplified” report: the structure of these reports may deviate from the ICAO Annex 13 model, to suit the circumstances of the event and the issues involved in the investigation. These investigations are applicable to all types of operation. Their primary aim is to provide operational feedback, but they can also lead to safety recommendations being issued.
Criteria for categorizing investigations conducted by foreign authorities, notified to the BEA
For some years now, the BEA has been adapting the allocation of its resources to foreign investigations according to the issues linked to the reason for the proposed accredited representation. The criteria for categorizing foreign investigations for which the BEA appoints an accredited representative (ACCREP) are described below.
ACCREP participation is:
active for category 1 ACCREP cases (major event);
active, depending on the needs of the foreign authority, for category 2 ACCREP cases;
on standby, awaiting a possible request from the foreign authority, for category 3 ACCREP cases: this category mainly concerns occurrences involving French-designed aircraft where no safety issues directly linked to the design characteristics are a priori, identified.
Category 1 accredited representations
Concern accidents or incidents involving aeroplanes with a maximum take-off mass of more than 5.7 t, where:
at least one person on board was fatally injured (except natural injuries) or,
there was an emergency evacuation and the aircraft was destroyed or the aircraft is reported missing,
Or accidents or incidents involving helicopters of more than 3.18 t where:
at least one person on board was fatally injured (except natural injuries) or,
there was an emergency evacuation and the aircraft was destroyed or the aircraft is reported missing.
Category 3 accredited representations
Concern accidents or incidents involving aeroplanes of less than 2.25 t:
where the BEA has a priori, no added value during the investigation,
with no obvious link to the reason for accreditation,
where there is no particular request from the authority in charge,
which would be the subject of BEA category 3 investigations,
where the BEA has a priori, no added value during the investigation,
with no obvious link to the reason for accreditation,
where a priori, there are no benefits or stakes for the advisor and/or the BEA,
which would not give rise to the opening of a BEA investigation in France,
where there is no particular request from the authority in charge,
where there is no justified request from the advisor,
without casualties,
where there is no particular request from the authority in charge,
with no obvious link to the reason for accreditation,
where there is no justified request from the advisor,
if no component manufactured by the French manufacturer has contributed to the event,
with no obvious link to the reason for accreditation,
where there is no justified request from the advisor.
or accidents and incidents to aeroplanes of more than 2.25 t:
or helicopter accidents and incidents:
or accidents and incidents involving aircraft equipped with engines of French design or manufacture:
Category 2 accredited representations
Concern aircraft accidents and incidents that do not meet the criteria for ACCREP categories 1 and 3.
