About AAID

The Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Directorate General (AAID) is an independent safety investigation authority operating under the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda, pursuant to Law No. 20/2018 of 29 April 2018 Establishing Regulations Governing Civil Aviation, as amended by Law No. 059/2024 of 20 June 2024.

AAID conducts aircraft accident and incident investigations in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), which requires Contracting States to establish an investigation function that is independent of aviation regulatory, operational, and service-provision authorities.

Our primary objective is to enhance aviation safety through independent, objective, and impartial safety investigations.

To enhance aviation safety through independent and objective investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents, with the sole objective of preventing future occurrences.

In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, an aircraft accident is an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft that takes place between the time a person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and the time all such persons have disembarked (or, for unmanned aircraft, from the time the aircraft is ready to move for the purpose of flight until it comes to rest at the end of the flight and its primary propulsion system is shut down), in which:

• A person suffers a fatal or serious injury as a result of being in the aircraft, coming into direct contact with any part of the aircraft, or being directly exposed to jet blast, except where the injuries result from natural causes, are self-inflicted, inflicted by another person, or sustained by stowaways concealed outside the areas normally available to passengers and crew;
• The aircraft sustains damage or structural failure that adversely affects its structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics and normally requires major repair or replacement of the affected component, excluding specified minor damage; or
• The aircraft is missing or completely inaccessible.

An incident is an occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft that affects or could affect the safety of operation.

A serious incident is an incident involving circumstances indicating that an accident nearly occurred.

As defined by ICAO Annex 13, a serious injury is an injury sustained in an aircraft accident that:

• Requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within seven days from the date of injury;
• Results in a fracture of any bone, excluding simple fractures of fingers, toes, or the nose;
• Causes severe hemorrhage or significant nerve, muscle, or tendon damage;
• Involves injury to any internal organ;
• Involves second- or third-degree burns, or burns affecting more than five percent of the total body surface; or
• Results from verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation.

AAID is responsible for investigating:

• Aircraft accidents and serious incidents occurring within the territory of Rwanda involving civil aircraft;
• Aircraft accidents and serious incidents involving Rwanda-registered civil aircraft occurring outside the territory of Rwanda, in accordance with applicable international agreements and ICAO Annex 13;
• Aviation safety occurrences in which Rwanda is entitled to participate as an interested State under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.

During every safety investigation, AAID:

1. Collects, preserves, and analyses all relevant evidence and factual information;
2. Determines the causes, contributing factors, and underlying safety issues;
3. Identifies systemic safety deficiencies;
4. Issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing the recurrence of similar occurrences and strengthening aviation safety; and
5. Prepares and publishes investigation reports in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and applicable national legislation.

AAID is committed to conducting investigations with independence, professionalism, integrity, transparency, and technical excellence. Through evidence-based safety investigations and meaningful safety recommendations, we contribute to the continuous improvement of Rwanda's civil aviation system while fulfilling the State's obligations under the Chicago Convention.

Our work is guided by one fundamental principle: