Department of Civil Aviation

Objectives and functions
The objectives of the Department as a regulator are to ensure that all Maltese aviation activities are carried out safely and in conformity with international standards which Malta applies in line with its membership in International Civil Aviation Organisation, European Civil Aviation Conference, EUROCONTROL and Joint Aviation Authority. The Department achieves these objectives through the following tasks: regulation of air transport services; airworthiness certification and oversight; certification of aircraft operators; licensing of aeronautical personnel; determination of international air navigation obligations with ICAO, ECAC and EUROCONTROL; oversight of MIA plc. as aerodrome services provider and MATS Ltd. as provider of air navigation services in the Malta Flight Information Region.

Services Offered:
The Department receives and processes applications for the following services:-

issue of Certificates of Registration for aircraft;
issue and renewal of Certificates of Airworthiness and Permits to Fly for aircraft;
issue of Certificates of Radio Station Approval that form part of an Aircraft Radio Station Licence;
issue of and renewal of Flight Crew and Air Traffic Control licences;
issue of Certificate of Validation for Flight Crew and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licences;
issue of Air Operator's Certificates;
issue of Certificates of Approval to Aircraft Maintenance Organisations;
issue of traffic rights to aircraft operators.

Contact Information:
The Communications are to be addressed as follows:
Mr. Anthony Gatt, B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc.
Director General
Civil Aviation Department,
Luqa - CMR 02.
E-mail: anthony.p.gatt@gov.mt
Tel: 21 249 170 - 21 673 526.
Fax: 21 239 278

Web: www.dca.gov.mt
Email: civil.aviation@gov.mt

The Bureau of Air Accident Investigation
The Bureau of Air Accident Investigation (BAAI) is an independent entity established by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to investigate accidents and incidents involving civil registered aircraft occurring in Malta. The Chief Inspector of Accidents is appointed by the Minister under the provisions of Art. 8 of the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations, 2002 and reports directly to the Minister.
The office of the Bureau of Air Accident Investigation is located at on Park 1, Luqa Airport near the offices of the Department of Civil Aviation.

Bureau Objective
The objective of the Bureau is to investigate accidents and serious incidents, to determine the circumstances and the cause of such occurrences and to make any applicable safety recommendations that it considers could prevent their re-occurrence if implemented. By International Convention, the investigation does not apportion blame or liability. The BAAI is not a regulatory authority and cannot therefore enforce its recommendations.

The Accident Investigator
The accident investigator is a qualified person who is an experienced professional pilot or aeronautical engineer. When assigned to an investigation by the Chief Inspector of Accidents, the investigator has the power to take signed statements from anyone he deems directly or indirectly involved with the accident. The investigator may impound any article or document that is relevant to the investigation. He also has free and unrestricted access to any place, building or aircraft for the purpose of completing the investigation.

The Investigation Report
Considering the technical detail that the investigation must delve into: the interviewing of witnesses, corroboration of evidence and consultation of specialist organizations, it will be appreciated that the investigation report may take an appreciable time to produce. Common to all reports, the anonymity of the persons involved is protected. If necessary, the report will contain safety recommendations. As soon as the investigation is concluded, the Chief Inspector of Accidents will send a copy of the draft report to persons or organizations whose reputations may be adversely affected. They will be allowed 28 days to make written representations before the report is finalized. The final copy of the report is then uploaded on this website.

BAAI Reports

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Contact Information:
Captain Denis Caruana
Chief Inspector of Air Accidents
Bureau of Air Accident Investigation
Civil Aviation Building, Luqa Airport, MALTA
Phone: +356 7942 7700
e-mail: denis.caruana@gov.mt