BGA AIRWORTHINESS AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
PART 1, LEAFLET 1-4
ACCIDENT AND INCIDENT INVESTIGATION - ENGINEERING ACTION
INTRODUCTION
1. As with any recreational activity, it is likely that a gliding accident will occur from time to time. The aim of an accident investigation is to determine the cause of an accident and thereby allow measures to be taken to prevent it happening again. The BGA is committed to minimising the occurrence of accidents and incidents and their thorough investigation is a fundamental element of the BGA's safety system. Detailed procedures for the overall investigation of accidents and incidents is contained in the BGA Law and Rules. The aim of this Leaflet is to give guidance on the engineering elements of accident investigation.
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
2. The legal requirements for the investigation of accidents to aircraft are contained in Statutory Instrument (SI) No 1996/2798 "The Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996" and SI No 1986/1953 "The Air Navigation (Investigation of Air Accidents Involving Civil and Military Aircraft or Installations) Regulations 1986". The text of these documents is repeated for ease of reference in Section 8 of CAP 393 - The Air Navigation Order 2000 (as amended). It is not intended to repeat the statutory detail here and any BGA-approved Inspector who becomes involved in an accident investigation should refer to these documents before commencing the investigation.
THE ROLE OF THE AIR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BRANCH
3. The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) is empowered to investigate air accidents and incidents in accordance with the requirement of the SIs listed above. In the event of a fatality or other unusual circumstances the AAIB will almost certainly elect to be involved with investigating an accident to a sailplane. However, where there have been no injuries or where the circumstances of an accident appear straightforward, the AAIB may elect not to conduct a detailed investigation. The BGA must therefore make provision for the engineering investigation of gliding accidents.
GENERAL INFORMATION
4. Accident sites can be hazardous to health and access should be controlled to minimise the risk to members of the public, to deter souvenir hunters and to preserve evidence for investigation. In the event of a high speed impact the glider may be extensively damaged. The clues to the cause of the accident will be there and will be found by a careful and systematic approach to the investigation.
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES
5. Introduction. The intent of this leaflet is not to train people as AAIB investigators. These notes are aimed at giving BGA Inspectors some guidance on the principles of accident investigation and to act as an aide-memoir in the early stages of an investigation. When in doubt, seek help from the BGA CTO.

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6. Initial Records. Make notes of the following information:
a. Aircraft type and model.
b. BGA CofA number and displayed Tri-Graph or competition number.
c. Latitude/longitude of accident site.
d. Date and time of occurrence.
e. Light and weather conditions.
f. Nature of the flight (ie take off, final approach etc.)
7. Initial Appraisal. If possible, speak with the pilot/crew and ascertain:
a. Sequence of events.
b. Aircraft configuration.
c. Intended route and flight profile.
d. Details of any eye-witnesses.
8. Visit to the Accident Site. Visit the accident site as soon as possible:
a. Be aware of safety hazards.
b. Check that the site is secure and wreckage is not being disturbed.
c. If wreckage has to be moved, ensure that details are recorded and that its position is marked. Take photographs if possible (see 9).
d. Walk the wreckage trail to become familiar with the scene. Do move wreckage and preserve ground scars.
9. Use of Photography. Photography is an excellent aid to the investigation of an accident. Care must be taken to ensure that all elements of the wreckage and the accident scene are recorded. Rather than random "scatter-gun" photography, notes should be taken of each photograph taken. The following items should be photographed:
a. All flight instruments and cockpit equipment and switch positions.
b. Flight control positions and settings, including the position of the control column and the flying control surfaces.
c. Where applicable, the position of engine controls and settings.
d. General views of the accident scene, including an air-to-ground or elevated view if possible.

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10. Wreckage Investigation. To aid investigation of the accident:
Take photographs as necessary.
a. Locate and examine all major components of the glider; record their position, condition, location and any significant marks.
b. Walk the flight path as far back from the impact point as possible. Note any tree damage and ground scars.
c. Note failures of primary aircraft structure.
d. Compare control surface positions with the position of cockpit controls. Record details of the relative positions.
INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENTS – ENGINEERING ACTIONS
11. Incidents which do not involve investigation by an AAIB or BGA investigator must be reported using the normal BGA reporting scheme by the completion of an “Accident/Incident Report Form”. If applicable, the engineering report is to be completed on the BGA 1022 Report Form, giving all relevant engineering information to complement the formal accident or incident report form.
12. Engineering occurrences not involving a flight or ground accident or incident may be reported using only the BGA 1022 Form. Completed BGA 1022 Forms will be copied to the BGA Safety Committee for information and comment, if appropriate.

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