Legislative Framework

The Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC), in coordination with governmental partners, and relevant stakeholders, reviewed available options through the Amending Civil Aviation Law No. 9 of 2025 to achieve the highest possible level of compliance with international aircraft accident investigation requirements while considering the size of the Jordanian aviation sector and available financial and human resources.

A unique governance model was adopted for the investigation of civil aviation accidents and serious incidents to ensure the highest possible degree of independence. Investigation committees are directly linked to the AIG Responsible Minister, appointed by the Prime Minister, and responsible for accident and serious incident reports and public statements.

Definitions

• AIG Responsible Minister: The minister designated by the Prime Minister to perform duties specified under the Civil Aviation Law related to AIG.

• Investigation Administration: Aircraft Accident Investigation Directorate at Jordan Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission.

• Investigator-in-Charge (IIC): Aircraft Accident Investigation Directorate.

The law, in Article 33, provides for the establishment of an Investigation Directorate within the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission, with responsibility for two categories of occurrences: 

1. accidents and serious incidents on the one hand (Paragraph 33 - B.1), 

2. occurrences that are not classified as serious on the other hand (Paragraph 33 -A).

• 33-A:

“An administrative unit shall be established within the Commission to investigate aviation occurrences that are not classified as accidents or serious incidents in accordance with the definition contained in Annex 13.”

• This function is carried out by the Civil Aviation Safety Administration in accordance with the Jordan Civil Aviation Regulations, Part 19 (JCAR Part 19).

• 33- B.1

“Aircraft accidents and aviation occurrences classified as serious incidents under Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention shall be investigated by an Investigation Committee formed by the competent Minister, consisting of a number of qualified specialist investigators as deemed appropriate, and operating under his supervision.”

The paragraph further sets out a number of controls and requirements governing the work of the aforementioned committee.

• The Aircraft Accident Investigation Directorate undertakes the functions referred to above concerning the investigation of accidents and serious incidents in accordance with:

  • Terms of Reference Document (AIG TOR): A description of the regulatory framework governing the investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents, including the institutional arrangements for carrying out these functions, the related responsibilities and policies, and the relationships and processes among the AIG responsible Minister, the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Directorate.

  • Jordan Civil Aviation Regulations, Part 13 (JCAR Part 13).

• Jordan Civil Aviation Regulations (JCAR) Part 13.

• Jordan Civil Aviation Regulations (JCAR) Part 19: regarding the National Civil Aviation Occurrence Database and Safety Data Management.

The Directorate seeks technical cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with leading accident investigation authorities and specialized organizations.