Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2018
200. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Irish Aviation Authority has investigated an incident (details supplied) or will be doing so; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26029/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Air Accident Investigation unit (AAIU) is the independent state body responsible for the investigation of aviation occurrences in Ireland and also assists foreign states who conduct investigations into Irish registered and operated aircraft abroad.
S.I. No. 460 of 2009 Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents) Regulations 2009, provides under ‘Occurrences involving State aircraft and foreign state aircraft […] 23. (1) Where a foreign state aircraft is involved in an occurrence in the State these Regulations shall apply’.
The particular incident to which the Deputy refers occurred over international waters on 3 June 2018 at 13.04 hrs UTC. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC 10 tanker, was on a flight from the UK to the USA. While over international waters, the flight crew advised Shannon that they had shut down one of their three engines and, as they were unable to maintain the assigned flight level for the Atlantic crossing, they requested a diversion to Shannon. The aircraft landed at Shannon at 14.03 hrs UTC without further incident.
The AAIU Inspector-On-Call was kept apprised of the situation by Shannon ATC throughout the aircraft’s flight and landing. As the event occurred over international waters the responsibility for assessing if an investigation by a Safety Investigation Authority (SIA) is warranted, and for conducting such an investigation, rests with the State of the Operator. For completeness, the event as described would not appear to meet the definition of a Serious Incident, and accordingly the AAIU does not consider an investigation by an SIA is warranted.
