Who is responsible for conducting a mishap investigation?

The Safety Officer is primarily responsible for conducting mishap investigations. This role entails a thorough understanding of safety protocols and procedures to effectively evaluate the causes of incidents. The Safety Officer is trained to gather relevant data, interview witnesses, analyze evidence, and determine contributing factors to prevent future mishaps.

In addition to their investigative role, the Safety Officer also plays a critical part in developing and implementing safety training programs and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. This specialized focus on safety makes them best suited to lead mishap investigations, ensuring a comprehensive and knowledgeable approach to identifying hazards and recommending corrective actions.

The other roles, while important within their specific contexts, do not have the primary responsibility for mishap investigations. The Commanding Officer oversees overall operations and may be involved in high-level decisions, the Operations Officer is concentrated on execution of mission tasks, and the Training Officer focuses on personnel training and development, rather than safety investigations.