Accident Analysis & Prevention (AAP)

Learning from accidents and incidents to enhance aviation safety worldwide

about AAP

Accident Analysis and Prevention is a cornerstone of aviation safety. Accident investigations are governed globally by the framework established in ICAO Annex 13. Their purpose is not to assign blame, but to determine contributing factors in an effort to prevent recurrence and improve system safety. High-quality, independent investigations and the timely publication of final reports are essential to ensuring that safety lessons are identified and acted upon promptly.

A key focus of the international system is the effective implementation of safety recommendations, particularly those linked to ICAO’s 5 Global High-Risk Categories (G-HRCs) and 3 Other Risk Categories (G-ORCs) established by the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP). These areas represent risk patterns that require coordinated global attention and consistent mitigation.

Accident analysis also plays a central role in identifying systemic trends. Through the structured review of accidents and serious incidents, the aviation community is able to detect emerging hazards, assess the effectiveness of existing defences, and refine safety strategies. This continuous feedback loop is essential to maintaining and improving global aviation safety performance.

Flight Recorders

Clear rules and safeguards around the use of flight recorders as essential tools for understanding accident causation and improving aviation safety through evidence-based analysis.

Data Protection

Data protection principles are vital to ensuring trust in safety reporting systems and protecting the integrity of safety-related information.

Timely Publication of Final Reports

The timely publication of final accident reports ensures that critical safety lessons are disseminated and implemented without delay.

Positive Safety Culture

PSC is a culture where reporting, learning, and open communication are encouraged without fear of punitive action, enabling continuous safety improvement.

IFALPA’s Role in Accident Analysis and Prevention

IFALPA contributes pilot expertise to international accident investigation and safety improvement efforts, supporting investigations conducted under ICAO Annex 13. Through active engagement in relevant ICAO Panels and Working Groups, both at Global and Regional levels, the Federation provides operational input to ensure that flight deck expertise is taken into account in technical analysis.

A key element of this contribution is participation in ICAO and IATA’s accident and serious incident review groups, which help identify trends, safety risks, and areas requiring targeted action. This supports a proactive approach to safety, where lessons learned are systematically translated into preventive measures.

In addition, IFALPA’s Accredited Accident Investigator programme is designed to maintain a pool of qualified pilot investigators who can join State investigations as Advisers to the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC). This capability ensures that the operational context in which the accident occurred is fully understood and appropriately considered, strengthening the quality and relevance of the technical findings.

Through these activities, IFALPA supports a safety system that integrates independent investigation, operational expertise, and continuous learning, reinforcing the prevention of future accidents through evidence-based improvements.

Latest Publications

April 27, 2026

Infographic: Annex 13 at a Glance

Delays, incomplete findings, or the absence of published accident investigation reports deprive the industry of critical safety insights. These insights

November 24, 2025

Turbulence Injury Mitigation

This joint briefing from IFALPA and FSF highlights the risk of injuries posed by turbulence and outlines practical steps to mitigate it. Despite advances

September 2, 2025

Operations at Nice Airport

No abstract is currently available. Please click on Download to view this publication in PDF.

February 10, 2025

Publication of Final Reports: Joint Position

ACI Europe, ECA, FSF, IATA, ICCAIA, IFALPA and IFATCA are increasingly concerned about the inconsistent State compliance with ICAO Annex

January 28, 2025

Template Agreement on Pilot Self-Assessment Systems

This Briefing Leaflet is an addendum to the IFALPA Template Agreement for Flight Data Analysis Program (FDAP), related to Pilot

January 22, 2025

Survivability & Evacuation Aspects in Final Reports

Final reports of occurrences that involved an evacuation of the aircraft usually lack consistency when it comes to describing the

Capt. Jean-Félix Barral

AAP Committee Chairperson

Captain Barral flies B777s for Air France, based in Paris-CDG, and has been an active member of the AAP Committee since 2010. In 2014 he received his IFALPA accreditation as Accident Investigator, and was appointed as the Federation’s Representative to ICAO’s Flight Recorders Specific Working Group, a position he still holds today. He was elected Vice-Chair of the AAP Committee in 2017, and further elected as Chair in 2024. Captain Barral is also very active within the safety department of his airline, and within his home Association, SNPL-France ALPA, where he held a number of positions, including Chair of the Technical Committee for 7 years.

F/O Jeffrey Mee

AAP Committee Vice-Chair

F/O Mee flies B757/767s for United Airlines. He is the Chair of the AAP Committee for his home Association, ALPA International. He has previously served as the Accident Investigation Board Chair and Training Programs Coordinator for the Air Safety Organization. He is an IFALPA-Accredited Accident Investigator and continues to be an active member of the AIB and an Accident Investigation course instructor.

Capt. Olli Jaarinen

AAP Committee Vice-Chair

Captain Jaarinen flies the A320 series as Training Captain for Finnair, based in Helsinki. He is the Chair of the Finnish Pilots’ Association’s Safety and Security Committee, and an IFALPA Accredited Accident Investigator. He was elected Vice-Chair of the AAP Committee in 2024.

Capt. Stacey Jackson

Executive Vice-President Technical & Safety Standards (EVP TSS)

Captain Jackson flies B737s NG/MAX for WestJet, based in Toronto, Canada. She is an IFALPA-Accredited Accident Investigator, an Accident Investigation course Instructor and a member of the Accident Investigation Board (AIB) for ALPA International. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the Accident Investigation and Response Committee for the WestJet ALPA MEC. She is a Subject Matter Expert in Human Factors and is completing a PhD in Aerospace with a focus in emergency egress and cabin safety centered design.