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About the Accident

(In reference to Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation)

Objective of the Investigation (Article 3.1):
The sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents, and it is not the purpose of this activity to apportion or liability.
State of Occurence (Article 5.1) :
The State of Occurrence shall institute an investigation into the circumstances of the accident and be responsible for the conduct of the investigation, but it may delegate the whole or any part of the conducting of such investigation to another State or a regional accident investigation organization by mutual arrangement and consent. In any event, the State of Occurrence shall use every means to facilitate the investigation.

Definition of the "Accident"

   An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which, in the case of a manned aircraft, takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, or in the case of an unmanned aircraft, takes place between the time the aircraft is ready to move with the
purpose of flight until such time as it comes to rest at the end of the flight and the primary propulsion system is shut down, in which:

a) a person is fatally or seriously injured as a result of:
    — being in the aircraft, or
    — direct contact with any part of the aircraft, including parts which have become 
         detached from the aircraft, or
    — direct exposure to jet blast,
    except when the injuries are from natural causes, self-inflicted or inflicted by other
    persons, or when the injuries are to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally 
    available to the passengers and crew; or

b) the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure which:
    — adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the
         aircraft, and
    — would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component,

    except for engine failure or damage, when the damage is limited to a single engine,
    (including its cowlings or accessories), to propellers, wing tips, antennas,
    probes,  vanes, tires, brakes, wheels, fairings, panels, landing gear doors, windscreens,
    the aircraft skin (such as small dents or puncture holes), or for minor damages to main  
    rotor blades, tail rotor blades, landing gear, and those resulting from hail or bird strike
    (including holes in the radome); or

c) the aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible.