Aircraft Accident and Serious Incident Investigations
CAD is also the aircraft accident investigation authority for aircraft accidents and serious incidents occurred in Hong Kong. These investigations are carried out by trained Inspectors of Accidents in line with the standards and recommended practices stipulated by the ICAO in Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Annex 13) with the purpose of determining the circumstances and causes of the occurrences to prevent recurrence in future.
To comply with an Annex 13 requirement that became applicable in November 2016, i.e. the accident investigation authority should be independent from the state aviation authorities and other entities that could interfere with the conduct or objectivity of an investigation, the Government made arrangements to establish an independent air accident investigation authority under the Transport and Housing Bureau, which will be separated from CAD. To this end, CAD worked closely with the Bureau in amending the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B). The new Chief Inspector of Accidents will take over the accident investigation facilities in CAD. CAD will provide the new Chief Inspector of Accidents with necessary assistance to ensure a smooth transition of duties and responsibilities.
During the year, CAD continued its investigation of the following accidents:
- On 27 February 2016, a Zlin Z242L aircraft of the Hong Kong Aviation Club crashed into water offshore of Fu Tau Sha at Tolo Channel, Tai Po. The aircraft was operated under Visual Flight Rules by one pilot with no passengers on board. The pilot was fatally injured.
- On 21 May 2016, a Cessna 152 II aircraft of the Hong Kong Aviation Club incurred substantial structural damage during the landing of a solo circuit training flight at the Shek Kong Airfield. The student pilot on board was not injured.
- On 23 October 2016, when a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter of the Hong Kong Aviation Club attempted to lift up for a hover during a training flight at the Shek Kong Airfield, its skids were reported entangled in the grass. The helicopter rolled over and incurred substantial structural damage. The flying instructor on board sustained minor injury.
- On 26 February 2017, a Cessna 152 II aircraft of the Hong Kong Aviation Club executed a forced landing near Sam Pui Chau after the pilot reported a “rough engine” during an aircraft rating flight test. The aircraft incurred substantial structural damage. The two pilots on board were not injured.
The preliminary reports and accident bulletins are published on CAD's website (www.cad.gov.hk/english/reports.html).
