Safety Investigation Report Writing

Investigation of serious incidents is an important activity within an operator’s safety management system and investigations are often complex and difficult. The investigation report is important because amongst other things it communicates valuable information to those who need to know and to those who will benefit from it.

Writing the investigation report however is a very challenging task because it is not easy and if it is not written well, the report will seriously devalue what may have been a comprehensive and well-managed investigation.

The investigation report is important because:

1. It becomes a permanent record of the investigation
2. It communicates information to those who need to know and those who will benefit from it
3. It forms a logical basis for the causes of the incident and
4. It forms the basis for corrective actions that may need to be taken to avoid future incidents

This module about Safety Investigation Report Writing will cover report quality and presentation, some important writing basics, the elements and structure of an ICAO investigation report as well as writing guidelines and the common errors that occur when writing a report.

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand some important writing basics in the English language 
• Identify the elements and structure of an ICAO safety investigation report
• Recognize and understand the errors associated with writing each element of a safety investigation report
• Understand the concept of dissenting opinions 
• Identify what contributes to improving the quality and readability of a safety investigation report

• Safety Managers
• Safety Investigators
• Persons involved in Corporate or Charter operations
• Persons involved in aviation training organizations
• Maintenance, Ground Operations and Cabin Crew safety personnel
• Any persons associated with safety investigation programs
• Persons who may be required to read and assess safety investigation reports