*Organisers of the joint training workshop say the forum is designed to ensure that participants understand the basic principles of Air Accident Investigation for aviation safety in Nigeria

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigeria and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are organising a joint workshop to train Air Safety Investigators and Airport Correspondents, among others, in Abuja, FCT.

The five-day workshop, holding in the FCT, is being organised in collaboration with Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI), agency report said.

Mr. Matt Robinson, Air Accident Investigation expert from SCSI, Thursday, November 10, 2022, said the programme was designed to ensure that participants understand basic principles of Air Accident Investigation.

Robison also said participants would learn the aviation safety standards framework required for effective conduct and coordination of aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS).

The expert also told the participants that “at the completion of this course, you will join over 30,000 other safety professionals who have been taught by SCSI.”

According to him, SCSI’s mission is to be the worldwide centre of excellence in delivering quality aviation accident investigation and safety training that is timely, efficient and cost effective to the world.

Dr. Abiodun Asekun, renowned aircraft engineer and Programme Coordinator, in his contribution said that the participants were drawn from the industry Regulators, Air traffic Controllers, Air accident Investigators, and media professionals among others.

Asekun also noted that the contents of the training would provide basic skills required for effective air accident investigation occurrence and its coverage with the good management of information geared towards accurate reportage.

The Programme Coordinator stated: “The workshop with the theme: ‘Investigation Management and Media Relations’ (IMMR) is part of the Accident Investigation Bureau’s effort to promote air safety in Nigeria.

“Course topics include- investigation process, international investigation procedures (ICAO), investigation preparation, safety at the crash site, blood-borne pathogens and priorities.

“It also includes, initial actions, reciprocating engines, turbine engine, oil and fuel analysis, structures and materials, fire analysis, aircraft system, instruments, recording devices, flight data analysis.”

Dr. Aseko further stated: “The content of the training also contains military aspects and case studies, wreckage recovery and reconstruction, underwater salvage, photography and diagrams, interview witness, aircraft performance factors, computers and simulation.”

Air accident reporting standards

Asekun disclosed that human factors (HFACS 7.0), aviation maintenance, physiology, accident pathology, analytical techniques, legal aspects and reporting requirements would also feature in the training.

He reeled off other topics during the programme to include family advocacy, media relations, non-destructive examination, and evidence collection.

Others are preservation construction of reports, investigation management, helicopter accident investigations, safety management system, RPAS deployment and use as parts of course topics.