Russia approves interstate aviation accident investigation body for EAEU

The new structure is aimed at replacing the aviation accident investigation role of the Interstate Aviation Committee (Government of Russian Federation)

The Russian government has approved plans for the creation of the International Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau to serve the needs of the five member states of the EurAsian Economic Union (EAEU), according to information published on the government’s website.

The move marks a significant step towards the creation of an intergovernmental aircraft accident investigation body covering Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

With a number of its constituent elements markedly different from the established Russian norms, the new organisation will remain subject to further ratification and will be headquartered in Moscow, with satellite offices in each member state – and will be open for other countries to join.

The new body is an updated version of the current Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), which has been performing the role since 1991 and, to enable Russia’s smooth transition to the new regime, will continue to act as the primary investigation organisation until its replacement is fully operational.

Along with accident investigations, the new structure will be in charge of creating the legislative base in compliance with ICAO requirements and will also be responsible for the training of its own specialists. The main difference from its IAC predecessor will be an extended sphere of responsibility, covering serious incidents as well as accidents. Russia’s financial contribution to the project will not exceed that previously granted to IAC, ranging between 210 and 250 billion roubles a year.

The first news of plans to replace the IAC began circulating in the winter of 2018, two years after Russia had created its own Aviation Registry, which had then taken over some IAC functions. This body is responsible for the certification of aircraft, aviation engines, propellers and on-board equipment for commercial aviation.