Select Committee on Public Accounts Forty-Fifth Report

ANNEX 1

Figure 1: Procedures for conducting a Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry

Following incident the Air Officer Commanding the relevant operational Group convenes a Board of Inquiry.

For ZD-576 this was the Air Officer Commanding No1 Group.

Inquiry Board made up of officers from relevant branches, including Air safety, and supported by civilian investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) - part of the Department of Environment, Transport and Regions.

For ZD-576 Board chaired by a Wing Commander (Pulford) with two other members and supported by two AAIB investigators and other Ministry of defence staff.

Investigating Board reports on the cause(s) of the accident and makes recommendations for changes to procedures and/or equipment. Report submitted to senior officers for review.

For ZD-576 the Board's report was first reviewed by the Officers Commanding the station where ZD-576 was based (Aldergrove) and its home station (Odiham).

Board's report then reviewed by the convening officer who draws his own final conclusions and submits them to his commanding officer for final comment.

For ZD-576 the Board's report was reviewed by the commanding officer of No1 Group, Air Vice Marshal John Day and then by his commanding officer Air Marshal William Wratten, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Strike Command.

Final findings of the Board of Inquiry issued, reflecting directly the views of senior officers.

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Prepared 30 November 2000