Section 5 in The Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2012
5. Obligation to investigate.
(1)In case of accident or an incident to an aircraft in the territory of India notwithstanding its registration :-(a)the Central Government shall institute an investigation into the circumstances of the accident and shall be responsible for conducting the investigation;(b)The Central Government shall instituted an investigation into the circumstances of the serious incident when the aircraft involved is of a maximum mass of over 2250 kg or is a turbo-jet air-plane;(c)the Director-General shall institute an investigation into the circumstances of all incidents and serious incidents to aircraft not covered by clause(b).(2)Not with standing anything contained in clause (c) of sub-rule (1), where it appears to the Central Government that it is expedient to hold an investigation into circumstances of any incident or a serious incident covered by clause (c) of sub-rule (1), it may, by order institute an investigation into circumstances of an incident or a serious incident to any aircraft.(3)Classification by the Central Government of an occurrence as accident or serious incident or incident shall be final and binding.(4)In case an accident or a serious incident to an Indian registered aircraft occurs at a location not being a territory of any state then the Central Government shall institute an investigation into the circumstances of the accident or serious incident and shall be responsible for conducting the investigation.(5)In case India is the nearest State to the scene of an accident in international waters to an aircraft not registered in India or not operated by an Indian operator, then the Central Government shall advise the State of Registry to institute an investigation and the Central Government in such a case shall provide assistance to the extent it is able to and shall, likewise, respond to requests by the State of Registry.
