Uk Air Accidents Investigation Branch

Inspector of Air Accidents (Recorded Data) - Closing 24 May 2026

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has published a vacancy for an Inspector of Air Accidents (Recorded Data) role. The position involves managing investigations of aircraft accidents and serious incidents involving recorded data from flight recorders, radar data, and radio telephony recordings. Applications close at 11:55 pm on Sunday 24 May 2026.

AAIB Report: Cagatay CGT-50 UAS Wing Separation in Flight at Radnor Range

The AAIB published its investigation report into the 5 October 2023 wing separation accident involving a Cagatay CGT-50 UAS at Radnor Range, Powys. The investigation found that wing joiners shorter than design specification were inadvertently fitted from old stock, combined with a wing design that allowed joiner movement and no symmetry-checking procedures during assembly, resulting in uneven bending loads on the forward wing joiner. The manufacturer subsequently introduced dimensional tolerances, component quality checks, serial numbers for wing joiners, design modifications, and assembly procedures.

Cagatay CGT-50 Drone Wing Separated Mid-Flight at Radnor Range

The UK AAIB published a field investigation bulletin regarding a Cagatay CGT-50 unmanned aircraft accident at Radnor Range, Powys on 5 October 2023. The investigation found that the right wing separated in-flight due to wing joiners that were shorter than design specification, combined with asymmetrical installation and inadequate quality control during manufacturing. The manufacturer implemented corrective actions including dimensional tolerances, quality checks on components, serial numbering for wing joiners, and revised assembly procedures.

AAIB Investigates Person Falling from Aircraft, Manchester

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) dispatched an investigation team to Manchester Airport on Saturday, 11 April 2026, following an accident involving a person falling from an aircraft. The AAIB is conducting a preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the incident. No regulatory actions, penalties, or specific safety directives have been issued at this time.

Experimental Drone Variant 4J Loss of Navigational Control, Salisbury Plain, December 2025

The AAIB published a correspondence investigation bulletin detailing the loss of navigational control incident with an experimental drone Variant 4J at Salisbury Plain Training Area on December 11, 2025. The investigation found a fault in the navigation module caused the drone to breach its geofenced operating area, prompting emergency flight termination. The operator has implemented safety actions including fallback navigation logic and improved user interface alerts for positioning anomalies.

Boeing 737-8200 MAX Fuel Leak, London Stansted, 24 April 2025

The UK AAIB published an investigation bulletin regarding a fuel leak on a Boeing 737-8200 MAX (EI-HEZ) on 24 April 2025. The aircraft was operating a scheduled flight from Venice to Manchester when it diverted to London Stansted Airport. The AAIB found that the non-normal checklist was not actioned fully and the pilots decided not to shut down the affected engine. The use of thrust reverse on landing with a fuel leak increased the risk of fire.