The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 1st November (WA 9), whether it is normal practice for aircrew involved in contaminated air events to be contacted by either the Civil Aviation Authority or the Air Accident Investigation Board in all of the reports that are investigated. [HL2316]

Lord Davies of Oldham: The investigations carried out by the Civil Aviation Authority following a significant fume event are safety-related and will involve contacting the flight crew only if clarification of the report is needed.

The CAA notifies the Air Accident Investigation Branch if there is a report of fumes or smoke in the cockpit. If the AAIB decides it could have been a significant or serious flight safety incident, it will conduct an investigation, which will include correspondence or an interview with the flight crew.

23 November 2005