INTERNAL SAFETY INVESTIGATOR for
PO Management System

A new professional figure appears in the business of POA

Does anyone think that this professional figure is carried out only by the Competent Authorities ?

Are investigations only a task of the authorities ?

With the new POA SMS management system, key figures for the management of internal investigative activities on SAFETY enter the POA organization: the INTERNAL SAFETY INVESTIGATOR.

The PO nominated Safety Manager is responsible for ensuring the development, administration, and maintenance of effective safety risk management processes as defined in point 21.A.139(c)(3) and as per AMC1 21.A.145(c)(2), one of these items is to ensure the initiation and follow-up of internal investigations of occurrences.

In line with ‘just culture’ as part of the safety policy, as per AMC1 21.A.139(c)(3) and (4), the PO organisation should define how to investigate events such as 

• failure, 

• malfunction, 

• defect, 

• error, 

• near miss, 

• hazard, 

• incident, 

• accident, 

• or other occurrence 

in order to understand not only what happened, but also how it happened, as well as to prevent or reduce the probability and/or the consequences of any future recurrence. 

The scope of internal investigations should extend beyond the scope of the occurrences that are required to be reported to the competent authority in accordance with point 21.A.3A.

Each PO organisation may adapt its Safety Investigators training syllabus to its own needs. Typically, depending on the targeted staff

• how to contribute to a positive safety culture, 

• the safety reporting systems 

• understanding of safety investigation techniques

• Easy Access Rules for Airworthiness and Environmental Certification (Regulation (EU) No 748/2012)

• analyse events and related available information;

• identify adverse trends;

• investigate the associated root cause(s); and

• determine any necessary corrective action.

• the determination of reportable occurrences as required by point 21.A.3A(a)(3) or 21.A.3A(b)(3), as applicable. 

• In addition, for parts whose failure could lead to an unsafe condition, the ‘analysis’ function of the system should ensure that reports and information sent, or available, to the design approval holder (DAH) are fully investigated so that the exact nature of any event and its effect on continuing airworthiness is understood. 

• knowledge of changes to the design and/or to the instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA), 

• establishing a mitigation plan to prevent or minimise the possibility of such occurrences

The Safety Manager needs safety Investigators and provide their development of personal characteristics such investigators, maintain their competence, improve their personal behaviour, knowledge and skills.

Tipically before qualify an INTERNAL SAFETY INVESTIGATOR after training they complete an OJT Training simulating a dedicated PO internal investigation, with collection, investigation, analysis and final Invetigation Report.