§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the criteria used by the chief inspector of air accidents in determining whether or not an investigation into an incident or accident shall be carried out.
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§ Mr. McLoughlinThe air accidents investigation branch's main task is to investigate reportable accidents, which are those involving serious injury or significant aircraft damage. Each reportable accident is inquired into by means of a formal investigation, a field investigation, or a form to the pilot or operator with follow up inquiries as appropriate.
Incidents, including air misses, are reportable to the Civil Aviation Authority and dealt with by it. However, the chief inspector of air accidents has the power to investigate incidents and does investigate serious incidents to public transport aircraft from time to time. A serious incident is defined as one which good fortune narrowly prevented from being a major accident.