Historical Background

Air transport is most appreciated as a crucial mode of transporting persons and goods across continents and regions, mobilizing huge sums of revenue for industry operators including revenues for countries for national development. Aviation plays a critical role in sustainable development, in Sierra Leone the Aviation Industry has a huge impact on the economic viability and contributes immensely to the country’s economic development. However, safety deficiencies in aviation activities have greatly eroded the economic and human benefits attached to air operations. The extent of catastrophe faced by aircraft accidents has consequences that go far beyond the industry itself.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation activities are guided by competency framework developed by set standards of the global Aviation Organization (ICAO) through the Civil Aviation Organisation of member states. Sierra Leone as a state has established the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau (SL-AAIIB) under the auspices and good intentions of His Excellency The President of The Republic of Sierra Leone, Brg. Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio's vision of making Sierra Leone an enviable aviation hub in West Africa. Achieving this dream has a compelling effort on the authorities to make Sierra Leone comply with all the necessary Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS). As a result, the ICAO Council Decision instructed the AFI Comprehensive Implementation Programme (ACIP) to provide the necessary support for the effective implementation of a Regional Aircraft Accident Investigation Body named Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) for West African States. BAGAIA has a responsibility to provide support to member states pursuant to Article 26 of the Chicago Convention and Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention, when an accident occurs in their territory and to obtain regional support if required where capabilities or resources are not available.

Aircraft Accident Investigation is a complex task that draws upon a broad range of skills, although many of the component aspects of the task are achievable. It is the nature of accident that creates the potential for great complexity, because Air accidents are unscheduled, destructive and may lead to loss of life. The sole objective of an aircraft Investigation is the prevention of Accidents and Incidents, and not to apportion liability or blame.

The establishment of the Accident Investigation Bureau came about after Sierra Leone agreed to an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM), which was conducted from 29th January to the 5th February 2014, and discovered that Sierra Leone was completely deficient in all eight critical elements that were audited including Aircraft Investigations (AIG).

As provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICAO, the purpose of the establishment of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in Sierra Leone is to assist the state to resolve its aviation safety related deficiencies and to strengthen its safety oversight capabilities ahead of the planned ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit in April 2022.

The establishment of the Sierra Leone Aircraft Accident & Incident Investigation Bureau (SL-AAIIB) was setup by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation (MTA) in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act, 2023 Section 15(2d), “to ensure due compliance with the conventions, annexes, protocols Standards And Recommended Practices (SARPs) of ICAO”, the Bureau was fully established in compliance with Section 74 of Part IX of the CA Act 2023.

Through the Leadership of H.E The President of The Republic of Sierra Leone, Brg. Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

Mission Statement

Strengthen safety oversight capabilities by resolving aviation deficiencies.

Vision Statement

Be an exceptional accident and incident investigation authority functionary by preventing occurrence to improve aircraft safety in Sierra Leone.

Objective

The sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident is the prevention of accidents and incidents and not to apportion liability or blame.

Core Values

* Integrity
* Professionalism
* Objectivity
* Transparency

Functions of the Bureau

The Bureau performs its functions in accordance with the provisions of Part IX of the Civil Aviation Act of 2023, the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Regulations Part 13, Policy Documents (Manuals, Rules, Orders, Procedures and Guidance Materials) and with relevant international agreements or arrangements where applicable.

The SL-AAIIB is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents in Sierra Leone, as well as participating in international investigations involving Sierra Leonean registered aircraft or where Sierra Leone is the State of operator.

The key functions of the SL-AAIIB are to:

1) Investigate aircraft accidents and incidents;
2) Ensure due compliance with Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention and the Protocols, Technical Instructions, Guidance and Procedures from the International Civil Aviation Organisation in respect of the investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents as provided for in Regulations (SLCAR Part 13);
3) Establish procedures for the conduct of investigations in accordance with the Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention;
4) Promote and improve safety in aviation through
i. the independent investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents, and
ii. the prevention of aircraft accidents and incidents;
5) Determine the causes of and contributing factors to aircraft accidents and incidents;
6) Prepare and submit reports to the appropriate authority to enhance the progress of investigations into aircraft accidents or incidents;
7) Advise the Minister on matters relating to
i. aircraft accidents and incidents; and
ii. the investigation and prevention of aircraft accidents and incidents;
8) Make safety recommendations, where applicable;
9) Establish and maintain an up-to-date laboratory, hangar or such other facility, necessary for carrying out the functions of the Bureau;
10) Establish institutions for training personnel for the investigation of aircraft accidents or incidents that occur in Sierra Leone;
11) Collate and analyse safety data and promptly exchange safety information as part of the State Safety Programme;
12) Protect and preserve records on aircraft accidents and incidents;
13) Provide the families and survivors of aircraft accidents or incidents, with information on the aircraft accidents or incidents, in a timely-manner; and
14) Perform any other function under the Civil Aviation Act of 2023, Part IX, Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations.