Aviation

U.S.-manufactured, registered, or operated aircraft is involved in an accident or incident in the
territories of another country.
Annex 13 outlines the entitlements and participation of an Accredited
Representative. The ICAO Manual of Aircraft Accident Investigation outlines the duties and
responsibilities of the Accredited Representative. These duties and responsibilities are contained in
Appendix S.
5.1.1 Domestic Accident
If a foreign-manufactured, -designed, -operated, or -registered aircraft is involved in
an accident in the United States, the state (country) of manufacture, operations, or registry may send
an Accredited Representative and advisors to participate in the investigation. The Accredited
Representative is the leader of any officials from another country, such as civil aviation officials or
airline and manufacturer advisors. Usually, the investigation will have already begun by the time the
Accredited Representative arrives. The IIC should provide the Accredited Representative with all
information given to party coordinators and thoroughly brief him or her on the progress of the
investigation. Annex 13 provides a list of entitlements to be provided to the Accredited
Representatives and their advisors
If necessary, Safety Board rules and procedures should be explained to the
Accredited Representative if he or she is unfamiliar with the Board's “open” style of conducting
investigations and daily release of information to the press. In addition, explain to the advisors and
the Accredited Representative, if present, that the protocol of Annex 13 establishes official
interactions between their organizations and the Safety Board through the Accredited
Representative. This is true even for situations in which a foreign manufacturer has U.S.-based
personnel assisting in the investigation.
ICAO Annex 13 specifies that the draft final report (Director’s draft) be sent to the
participating states for comment and that 60 days be allowed for receiving any comments. This
should be considered when planning the final report schedule.
5.1.2 Foreign Accident
Safety Board personnel sent overseas as technical advisors or an Accredited
Representative to assist in foreign investigations are acting as representatives of the
U.S. Government. Be aware that, in this capacity, Board investigators are the guests of another
country and have been sent to serve as the liaisons between the host country’s investigation and the
U.S. Government. The U.S. Accredited Representative and his or her advisors should not attempt to
direct the investigation or to advise the investigation authority on matters not directly related to the
accident. (See Appendix U for information and procedures on foreign travel).
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