Readers may have been confused by Jack Emmerson's letter (Flight International, 29 January - 4 February), which suggests that the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is advising against the adoption of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13 Chapter 5.27.
The new international standard was adopted by the council of ICAO on 1 February 2001. It makes provision for the participation of states in an investigation in which their citizens have been involved in aircraft accidents in other states.
The UK fully supported this new international standard during its passage through the Air Navigation Commission and the council of ICAO. It was adopted in the UK together with the other amendments to Annex 13 and these amendments came into effect on 1 November 2001.
Ken Smart
Chief inspector of air accidents, AAIB Aldershot, UK
Source: Flight International
