HK and Macao aeronautical authorities reach regional cooperation arrangement on aircraft accident and incident investigation to share resources and assist each other

“The Cooperation Arrangement between the Civil Aviation Department, Hong Kong China and the Civil Aviation Authority, Macao China on Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations” was signed today. With the aim to offer greater contribution in enhancing regional aviation safety, the two aeronautical authorities will share resources and provide assistance to each other on investigation work, investigation training, information and expertise knowledge.

The two aeronautical authorites started their discussions on the cooperation project since last December and have recently finalized the arrangement text, which they signed today at the convention facilities of the Headquarters of the Civil Aviation Department, Hong Kong China (HKCAD). From now on, the two sides will share experiences on developing legislation administered in their respective area and exchange views on the latest development of international standards; facilitate exchanges of personnel for training courses and hands-on experience and observer status at investigation accident site; offer the use of investigation facilities including expertise in air traffic services, engineering, flight recorders and so on.

The signatories of the cooperation arrangement were Mr. Norman Lo, Chief Inspector of Accidents of HKCAD and Mr. Chan Weng Hong, President of AACM.

The aeronautical authorities of Hong Kong and Macao have always been keeping close contact with each other since a long time ago. Since the establishment of the two special administrative regions, the two sides have also been keeping close contact and holding regular meetings with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The three parties have already concluded a number of regional cooperation projects including approval of aircraft maintenance organizations, airworthiness certification, approval of aircraft repair modifications, approval of maintenance training organizations and optimization of Pearl River Delta air space resources.

In addition to concluding the cooperation of accident and incident investigation with Hong Kong, AACM has also signed similar cooperation arrangements with the Investigation Bureau for Civil Aviation of France and CAAC’s Aviation Safety Office respectively in 2008 and 2009.

“The Cooperation Arrangement between the Civil Aviation Department, Hong Kong China and the Civil Aviation Authority, Macao China on Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations” was signed on 25 November 2014, to share resources and provide assistance to each other on investigation work, investigation training, information and expertise knowledge.