AIC boss clarifies role

PAPUA New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) chief commissioner Hubert Namani has clarified the role of the AIC in fatal aircraft accidents.
“The AIC is the nation’s agency mandated to conduct independent no-blame aircraft accident investigations to determine why an accident or serious incident happened,” Namani said on Sunday.
“The AIC makes findings and recommendations for preventing similar accidents in the future.
“It (AIC) is independent of all regulatory, judicial authorities and service providers,” Namani said.
“The police assist the coroner and provide a report to the state coroner on the death.
Namani said in conducting on-site accident investigations, the AIC complied with Section 246 of the Civil Aviation Act which specified where an accident occurred to an aircraft in PNG, the aircraft including the contents and parts would be deemed to be in the custody of the commission for such period as the commission considers necessary for the purposes of an accident inquiry.
He said it would not be removed or otherwise interfered with except with the permission of the chief commissioner, the deputy chief commissioner or the chief executive.
Namani said AIC always assisted the state coroner and the police to have victims of aircraft accidents removed from the wreckage.
“When a person dies as a result of injuries sustained in an aircraft accident, the AIC will always ensure that the coroner and the police have full access to the body as soon as possible.”
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