Review boards for the helicopter crash near Black Rock, County Mayo, Ireland on 14 March 2017

Question for written answer  E-001940/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Clare Daly (The Left)

The Air Accident Investigation Unit published a further holding statement on 12 March 2021 as we approach the fourth anniversary of the crash involving an S-92A helicopter near Black Rock, County Mayo, Ireland on 14 March 2017. Following a notice of review of certain findings and a conclusion, review boards were appointed by the Irish Department of Transport. Since the end of 2019, no appropriate update statement has been provided, given the delay. As obliged by Regulation (EU) No 996/2010, Article 16(7), ‘the safety investigation authority shall release an interim statement at least at each anniversary of the accident or serious incident, detailing the progress of the investigation and any safety issues raised’. Article 15(4) requires the safety investigation authority in charge to make public any information on the factual observations, the proceedings of the safety investigation and possibly preliminary reports or conclusions. These successive delays and the lack of transparency of the re-examination seem to run counter to the principles set out in Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Convention on International Civil Aviation and the EU Regulation.

What steps can the Commission and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency take to request the Irish Department of Transport, which appointed the review boards, to provide meaningful updates and a target date for completion of the review?