Master’s in Aviation Accident Investigation Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in aircraft accident investigation engineering. 12 modules covering the investigation framework, initial response and site management, flight recorders, data analysis and reconstruction, wreckage and structural analysis, human and organisational factors, causal analysis and the final report, working with ICAO Annex 13, Regulation (EU) 996/2010 and Insight Analysis, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply the framework of Annex 13 and Regulation (EU) 996/2010 to investigations.
Organise the initial response and management of the occurrence site.
Analyse flight data and cockpit voice recorder data.
Examine wreckage and components to determine failure mechanisms.
Evaluate human and organisational factors with systemic models.
Write effective final reports and safety recommendations.
Integrate lessons learned into safety management systems.
Who it's for
- Air accident investigators.
- Flight recorder analysts.
- Human factors specialists.
- Failure analysis engineers.
- Safety managers who lead internal investigations.
- Aviation expert witnesses and loss adjusters.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter accident investigation authorities.
What you'll work with
- ICAO Annex 13 (aircraft accident and incident investigation)
- Regulation (EU) 996/2010 (investigation and prevention of accidents)
- ICAO Doc 9756 (Manual of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation)
- Regulation (EU) 376/2014 (occurrence reporting)
- EUROCAE ED-112A (crash-protected airborne recorder systems)
- ICAO Doc 9962 (investigation policies and procedures)
- ICAO Doc 9973 (assistance to victims and their families)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing laboratories)
- Insight Analysis
- FlightViz
- MATLAB
- Pix4D
- ECCAIRS 2
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1The preventive purpose of investigation1.2ICAO Annex 131.3Regulation (EU) 996/20101.4Permanent investigation authorities1.5Participating States and accredited representatives1.6Independence from judicial investigation1.7Classification of accidents and serious incidents1.8History of landmark investigations1.9The European ENCASIA network1.10Case study: analysis of a landmark final report
2.1Notification and team activation2.2Safety and hazards on site2.3Biological hazards and composite materials2.4Coordination with judicial authorities2.5Preservation of perishable evidence2.6Photographic documentation and photogrammetry2.7Wreckage mapping with drones2.8Chain of custody2.9Assistance to victims and families2.10Workshop: occurrence site management plan
3.1FDR and CVR recorders3.2ED-112A protection requirements3.3Underwater location and recovery3.4Download and readout of damaged recorders3.5Flight parameters and decoding3.6CVR transcription3.7Lightweight and image recorders3.8In-flight tracking and GADSS3.9Protection of recordings3.10Lab: FDR data decoding
4.1Synchronisation of data sources4.2Trajectory reconstruction4.3Radar and ADS-B data4.4Flight animations4.5Aircraft performance analysis4.6Simulation in an engineering simulator4.7Analysis of ATC communications4.8Timeline of events4.9Uncertainty in reconstruction4.10Practical exercise: trajectory reconstruction in MATLAB
5.1Wreckage distribution and break-up sequence5.2Overload and fatigue fractures5.3Fractography and electron microscopy5.4Failures in composite materials5.5In-flight break-up versus impact5.6Analysis of in-flight and post-impact fires5.7Physical reconstruction of the aircraft5.8Testing laboratories and ISO/IEC 170255.9Corrosion and environmental damage5.10Case study: interpretation of a fatigue fracture
6.1Engine examination and rotational damage6.2Engine containment failures6.3Hydraulic and flight control systems6.4Analysis of instruments and non-volatile memory6.5Fuel systems and contamination6.6Electrical systems and wiring6.7Avionics software and automation6.8Maintenance as a contributing factor6.9Component testing6.10Workshop: analysis of a system failure
7.1Meteorological information in investigation7.2Icing and surface contamination7.3Wind shear and turbulence7.4Visibility and controlled flight into terrain7.5Aerodrome factors7.6Air traffic control as a factor7.7Wildlife strikes7.8Mountain operations7.9Volcanic ash encounters7.10Case study: occurrence in adverse weather conditions
8.1Reason model and defences8.2Classification of factors with HFACS8.3Systemic methods: AcciMap and STAMP8.4Situational awareness and decision-making8.5Fatigue and physiological factors8.6CRM and flight deck communication8.7Organisational culture and oversight8.8Cognitive interview techniques8.9Hindsight bias and causality8.10Practical exercise: HFACS analysis of an accident
9.1Impact survivability9.2Seatbelts, seats and structures9.3Evacuation and emergency exits9.4Cabin fire and toxicity9.5Rescue services9.6Aviation forensic pathology9.7Victim identification9.8Emergency equipment9.9Lessons for certification9.10Case study: analysis of an evacuation
10.1Causal analysis methods10.2Causes and contributing factors10.3Analysis of failed barriers10.4Formulating SMART recommendations10.5Addressees and follow-up10.6Safety recommendations of global concern10.7Recommendation databases10.8Effectiveness of recommendations10.9Communication with industry10.10Workshop: drafting safety recommendations
11.1Report structure according to Annex 1311.2Preliminary reports and interim statements11.3Draft report consultation process11.4Media management and communication11.5Legal aspects and confidentiality11.6Quality management in the investigation authority11.7Drone and general aviation investigations11.8Complex international investigations11.9Lessons learned in the SMS11.10Case study: drafting a final report
12.1Selection of the study occurrence12.2Collection of documentary evidence12.3Reconstruction of the sequence12.4Technical analysis of factors12.5Human factors analysis12.6Integrated causal analysis12.7Proposed recommendations12.8Conclusions of the study12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Insight Analysis, FlightViz, MATLAB, Pix4D and ECCAIRS 2, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied, such as analysis of flight recorder data, reconstruction of trajectories and event sequences, and wreckage examination and component failure analysis. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ICAO Annex 13, Regulation (EU) 996/2010, ICAO Doc 9756, Regulation (EU) 376/2014, EUROCAE ED-112A, ICAO Doc 9962, ICAO Doc 9973, ISO/IEC 17025.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Insight Analysis, FlightViz, MATLAB, Pix4D and ECCAIRS 2, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience, plus a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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