A Comparative Study of Accident Scene Investigation between Aircraft Accidents and The International Scene Investigation Procedures

Abstract

          This paper presents a comparatively study of the investigation on aviation accident scenes and the procedures for accident scene investigation according to international standards and analyze an important case study occurred in Thailand. The research has been conducted in order to be a model for aircraft accident scene investigation in Thailand. This research is a qualitative study which was conducted by in-depth interviews with 12 key informants who are the experts in aircraft accident investigation and have been trained to examine the aviation accident scene. They also participated in analyzing the case study of the investigation of the aircraft accident scene. According to research results, it was found that the guidelines for aircraft accident investigation and management were consistent with the procedure imposed in the handbook of aviation accident investigation and international standards. The main principles and procedure for investigating the aviation accident scene consisted of three steps, 1) preparation before entering the accident scene, 2) accident scene investigation and 3) returning the accident scene. Form the analysis of the search operations for a helicopter crashed in Khao Chamao, case study it was found that the procedures for accident scene investigation could followed the handbook of aviation accident investigation and international standards and mainly consider for the operation officer safety