An AIC capacity-building program has been in place since 2012 to strengthen PNG's capacity to conduct its own ICAO Annex 13-compliant (or transport safety) investigations.
The ATSB provides technical assistance with funding from DFAT/Australian Aid under the PNG Transport Sector Support Program. A senior ATSB investigator is also deployed to PNG under the program.
The program's focus is shifting to training new investigators to ensure the AIC's medium and long-term capability, and to other forms of institutional strengthening.
Progress under the AIC-ATSB capacity building program means the AIC is being increasingly recognised in the Asia-Pacific as a model for a developing-country transport safety investigation agency.
The Brisbane meeting will provide an opportunity for the ATSB and AIC Commissioners to share views on matters of mutual interest. It's an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from each other.
The ATSB has a long-standing relationship with the PNG AIC, and has assisted the AIC in a number of significant investigations.
These include the August 2009 Twin Otter crash near Kokoda, which claimed the lives of all 13 on board, and the October 2011 Dash-8 crash near Madang with 28 fatalities.
