Robert Balls
Biography
Robert Balls has over 25 years of experience in aviation safety, leadership, engineering management and accident investigation. A former Royal Air Force Officer, Rob held senior airworthiness appointments. This included being responsible as a Chief Air Engineer for assuring the safe and effective engineering of different aircraft types including fast jet, multi-engine and helicopters and he has also been a Type Airworthiness Authority. During a broad and varied career he has held a Command appointment, Project and Programme Management roles, and in his earlier career held senior engineering positions on front-line fast jet squadrons.
Rob joined the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in 2020 as an Inspector of Air Accidents, and has undertaken investigations across a wide range of civilian aviation accidents and serious incidents both in the UK and overseas. In September 2024, he was appointed Principal Inspector of Air Accidents.
Rob holds a BEng (Hons) Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MSc in Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics, and is a Chartered Engineer.