How Long Do Aircraft Accident Investigations Take?

When an aircraft accident occurs, one of the first questions people ask is: "How long will the investigation take?" The answer isn’t simple. Aircraft accident investigations are highly technical, regulated processes that can take months—or even years—to complete. 🕒 Typical Timeline Most investigations unfold in several stages: Preliminary Report (First 30 Days): Within the first month, investigators usually release a preliminary report. This outlines basic facts—such as the aircraft type, flight path, weather conditions, and known data from the black boxes (if available). Final Report (6 Months to 2 Years): A full investigation typically takes between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the severity and complexity of the accident. Some of the accidents takes longer than that like the Ethiopian Airlines accident flight 302 it took over 45 month to complete a final report.  🛬 What Affects the Duration? Several factors can extend the timeline of an aircraft investigation: 1. Wr...

TCAA Halts New Helicopter Operator Certifications

 The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has announced a temporary pause on the acceptance of new helicopter AOC certifications and variations, effective immediately.

In a  AOL letter dated 24 April 2025, the Authority cited a lack of qualified helicopter pilot inspectors as the reason for the move. TCAA emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly but is necessary to ensure the thorough and safe evaluation of all certification processes.


Key Points:

  • No new helicopter operator certifications will be processed.
  • No variations to existing helicopter AOCs will be accepted.
  • Existing operators maintaining current operations are not directly affected unless applying for variations.


Impact:

This sudden halt could delay new helicopter startups, fleet expansions, and modifications to current operations across Tanzania’s aviation sector.


Forward-Looking Insight:

With helicopter services critical for medevac, tourism, offshore support, and VIP transport, the demand for qualified inspectors and regulatory capacity building is more urgent than ever.

The pause highlights an underlying opportunity for investment in aviation talent development within the country .


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Reference :

PAUSE OF NEW CERTIFICATION OF HELICOPTER OPERATORS

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