Evidence to Explanation: Inside the Process of Modern Air Accident Investigation

From Evidence to Explanation provides a comprehensive examination of how modern air accident investigations transform complex technical data into validated safety findings. It traces the full investigative lifecycle—from initial notification and site preservation through laboratory analysis, reporting, and the implementation of safety recommendations—within the legal and procedural framework of ICAO Annex 13.

The paper explains the operational roles of key authorities such as the AAIB, BEA, NTSB, and ATSB, describing how multidisciplinary teams integrate physical, digital, and human evidence to reconstruct events with scientific precision. It also explores how evolving technologies—such as real-time flight data streaming, space-based ADS-B, and artificial-intelligence analytics—are reshaping the investigative environment.

By clarifying the methods and ethical principles that guide investigators, the study aims to demystify the investigative process and promote informed public understanding. It argues that transparency, independence, and data fidelity are essential not only to determining causes but also to sustaining trust in global aviation safety governance.