Annual Safety Review 2020
The AAIB Annual Safety Review 2020 has been published. It includes information on occurrences and the safety action taken or planned in response to AAIB investigations concluded in 2020.
Annual Safety Review 2020 Video
Although the coronavirus pandemic had a profound effect on both commercial and general aviation activity in 2020, the AAIB still received 553 occurrence notifications and opened 20 field investigations, four of which were into fatal accidents in the UK resulting in four deaths.
A further 108 investigations were opened by correspondence. In addition, the AAIB appointed an accredited representative to 31 overseas investigations and made a notable contribution to major event investigations in Iran and Indonesia.
Productivity remained high throughout the year and the Branch published 30 field and 199 correspondence investigation reports. These included 30 Safety Recommendations covering diverse safety issues with commercial air transport, general aviation, unmanned air systems and glider flying. In addition, there were also 159 significant safety actions taken proactively by the industry in response to the AAIB’s investigations.
A growth in the reporting of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) occurrences was seen in 2020, reflecting a greater awareness among UAS operators of the need to report occurrences. The AAIB undertook several UAS investigations and identified safety issues related to the overflight of third parties that have not been fully addressed by the new regulations. Recommendations have been made to the relevant authorities.
Crispin Orr, Chief Inspector of Air Accidents said:
Occurrence notifications in 2020 were fewer than usual due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on both commercial air transport and general aviation, but the reduction was less than might be expected. A few incidents were attributable to factors associated with the return to flying after an operational pause; but in the main, the risks were understood and well managed.
The aviation industry’s response to the safety issues identified during AAIB investigations has generally been very good with positive replies to the 30 safety recommendations made, and a further 159 significant safety actions taken proactively.
The AAIB remained operational throughout the lockdowns, responding immediately to occurrences as they arose. Despite the many restrictions in place in the UK and around the world, the AAIB found effective ways to progress its investigations and adapted its working practices to continue to fulfil its important role.
In 2020 AAIB launched a new cloud-based Case Management System to manage investigations from notification to closure. Read more about its development.
The AAIB remained fully operational during the pandemic, read more about how we adapted our working practices.
Read the Annual Safety Review.
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