BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 51-307
18 MARCH 2019
UNITED STATES AIR FORCES IN
EUROPE-AIR FORCES AFRICA
Supplement
14 OCTOBER 2020
LAW
AEROSPACE AND GROUND
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing web site at
www.e-publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AFLOA/JACC
Supersedes: AFI 51-503, 14 April 2015
Certified by: AF/JAC
(Col Amy L. Momber)
Pages: 106
(USAFEAFAFRICA)
OPR: USAFE-AFAFRICA/JAC
Certified by: USAFE-AFAFRICA/JA
(Col James H. Kennedy III)
Pages: 5
This publication implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 51-3, Civil Litigation, as it
pertains to legal investigations and reports; and the provisions of Title 10, United States Code,
Sections 2254 and 2255, relating to aircraft accident investigations. It also implements the
provisions of Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6055.07, Mishap Notification,
Investigation Reporting, and Record Keeping, and refers to safety investigations conducted in
accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 91-204, Safety Investigation and Hazard Reporting,
and AFPD 91-2, Safety Programs.
This publication describes when and how to conduct accident investigations, how to prepare and
distribute accident reports, and how to store and dispose of accident wreckage, related documents
and materials. It also addresses release of accident information and interactions with the next-of-
kin, Congress, media, and other interested parties.