On Saturday 11 April 2026, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was notified of an accident at Manchester Airport involving a person falling from an aircraft. On Sunday 12 April, the AAIB confirmed a team had been sent to begin a safety investigation. (gov.uk)
The AAIB is an independent unit within the Department for Transport with a statutory role to improve aviation safety by establishing the circumstances and causes of accidents and serious incidents. Its investigations do not apportion blame or determine liability. (gov.uk)
Initial activity typically focuses on securing the scene, preserving and documenting evidence, and coordinating with emergency services. The AAIB states it will cooperate with police where they conduct parallel enquiries and advises responders to consult its communications team before issuing public statements. (gov.uk)
After the on‑site phase, wreckage is usually transferred to the AAIB’s facility in Farnborough for detailed examination, including analysis of recorded data. The AAIB notes that it conducts many investigations by correspondence; where field deployments occur, special bulletins may be issued within 30 days if urgent safety issues arise and most field investigation reports are published within 12 months. (gov.uk)
Safety investigations are conducted under Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention, assimilated Regulation (EU) No 996/2010, and the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2018, which came into force on 9 April 2018. The framework prioritises safety improvement and investigator access to relevant evidence. (gov.uk)
For operators and airports, there is a duty to take reasonable measures to protect and preserve evidence and associated records. The UK Civil Aviation Authority highlights this requirement, derived from Article 13 of Regulation 996/2010 as retained in domestic law, including the protection of flight data recorders and related information. (caa.co.uk)
AAIB outputs are structured and predictable. Field investigation reports are released throughout the month and later collated in a monthly bulletin; special bulletins communicate early factual findings and, where appropriate, urgent recommendations; responses to recommendations issued since 2019 are published with action status. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: dutyholders should plan for evidence preservation and timely staff access for interviews while maintaining operations. Practical steps include ring‑fencing CCTV and airside access logs, securing personal electronic devices that may contain relevant imagery, and avoiding handling aircraft or personal electronics until the AAIB provides guidance. (gov.uk)
At this stage, the AAIB has not released further operational detail beyond confirmation of the deployment. Updates and any formal outputs will be issued on GOV.UK as the investigation progresses. (gov.uk)
Indicative timelines vary by case. Correspondence investigations average around three months, while field investigations generally target publication within 12 months, with annual updates for particularly complex inquiries. (gov.uk)