Air accident investigator

Depending on your role you could:

• co-ordinate a team to respond to an incident
•  gather and record evidence to build a picture of what happened
•  speak sensitively and tactfully with victims, witnesses and bereaved relatives
•  reassemble or dismantle wreckage to look for clues
•  recover data from flight recorders and instruments
•  use drones to survey accident sites
•  piece together events that led to an accident
•  manage the different stages of an investigation
•  update relatives on progress, especially in fatal accidents
•  write accident reports
•  make safety recommendations to regulators and the industry
•  act as an expert witness at inquests and official inquiries

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to use your initiative
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• persistence and determination
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• applying directly

If you work as an engineering or flight data recorder investigator, you could become an operations director, co-ordinating the investigation process. You could also progress to chief accident inspector.

You could use your experience to work as a consultant with aerospace manufacturers, safety regulators or aviation industry insurance companies.