About

The Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A) was established in Geneva in 1990 for the purpose to deal with all information related to aviation accidentology.

The primary goal of the B3A is to collect, manage and archive all information relating to aviation accidents worldwide since 1918 till today. Therefore, its records is currently composed of thousands of documents, reports, photos, etc. representing to date more than 34,400 events.

The second goal of the B3A is to promote aviation safety through know-how action plans, training and information. On request, the B3A can take part to investigations, publish procedures and/or send any recommendations if necessary.

The third goal of the B3A is to inform the public and professionals of the risks inherent in the operation of an aircraft and training on psychological preparedness for mass disaster.

With an experience of almost 30 years, the B3A now offers its services and expertise in managing situations of mass disasters not only in aviation but in all other transportation modes: boats, trains, automobiles, etc. We should remind we must constantly challenge ourselves and understand that an accident is generally multi-factorial with human factor as the primary cause.

Let’s implement together a methodology to reduce the risk of accidents in the private and the business sector. My motto is to be better today than yesterday and not so good as tomorrow!

Ronan Hubert, founder of B3A is historian in aircraft accidents. His relationship with several investigation Boards worldwide, experience on site as well as almost 30 years of presence in aviation business gave him the opportunity to publish four books. His skills, expertise and impartiality are his strengths and he is today recognized as a knowledgeable accidentologist.

Is considered as an accident any event where an aircraft suffered such damage that it is not in a position to be used anymore and that it is removed from service (withdrawn from use, written off). In any case, the aircraft should be considered as damaged beyond economical repair.

Is considered as an accident any event involving an aircraft certified to carry at least 6 people, crew included (except for the early years). Are not considered helicopters, balloons, hot air balloons, airships, gliders, fighters, and all other aircraft which does not correspond to the criterions mentioned here above.

In military aviation, only are considered accidents involving aircraft intended for troop transport, reconnaissance, surveillance, medium and heavy bomber and logistical support.

The B3A website is available to public for more than 20 years and offers to date the largest aircraft accident database worldwide with the NTSB and Aviation Safety Network.

All information and materials available on my website are the result of a daily work and extensive worldwide research but also of the contribution from many correspondents.

All pictures showed in the Spotting Database are the B3A property and does reflect aircraft that are not involved in any accident and are still in service at the date the photo was taken. There is absolutely no correlation between both Spotting Database and Accident Database which are totally independent from each other. Any wrong interpretation made from a Google research or any other Internet search engine is not the responsibility of the B3A.

Totally free, my website aims to remain a public service tool open to all, and can continue its educational work with donations only.

Every day I receive dozens of photos from all around the world, photos representing the aircraft involved in the accident or photos of the crash itself.

Some of these photos, old or recent, are not protected by any copyright and are therefore free of copyright.

However, the vast majority of these photos are protected by copyright and I strive to respect the copyright. This should comply with the Bern Convention.

Gentlemen’s agreements with some popular websites allow me to reproduce their photos on my website as long as the author’s name and the contributing website are clearly stated and respected.

However, it may happen that some pictures appear on my website without displaying the name of its author. Be aware that this is by no means a theft of the photo and I invite the author to contact me so I can add the appropriate copyright information on the photo and render him his rights. Any author who does not want the presence of a photo belonging to him on my website is also invited to let me know and the photo will be immediately deleted/removed.

Regarding my photos (only the ones with the copyright ‘B3A – Ronan Hubert’, they can be used and/or reproduced without prior permission only if the following conditions are met:

• Respect of the copyright posted on the photo
• Private usage only
• Free website or free magazine usage only.

The usage or reproduction in a payable magazine, payable website or any other payable support will be subject to royalties previously set between both parties.

Any person or entity wishing to use photos published on my website but of which I do not own the copyright will not get any authorization from me. I am not empowered to grant permission to reproduce any image of which I do not own the right. In such case, I will invite you to contact the author and will transmit you his personal data, if he accepts to do so.

Photos belonging to different Investigations Boards such as NTSB, BEA, AAIB, ATSB, SESE, etc. are reproduced on my website through agreements with those authorities and remains from the Public Domain. I cannot grant permission to reproduce their photos as I am not the author.

Internet is growing constantly and my website has grown and evolved in recent years. With up to 10,000 visitors per day according to the news, it is not always possible to control all messages and their contents and I appeal to the civic responsibility of all of you, your common sense and aviation fair play.

I reiterate that my website remains totally free and aims to continue its mission of public service able to offer the best visibility with aircraft accidents worldwide. In no way I want to steal photos or any support whatsoever, but sometimes an error can creep into the millions of data and information I offer. In such case, I appeal to your understanding to help me to enforce copyright and to correct any errors.

The new website version which is online since December 2017 offers a different way to present images. You must click on the image to see it in its original format. Thus, the copyright may not appear on the page and a click on the image is necessary to obtain the original format and full size image with the copyright appearance.  

I thank you for your support, your contribution and all collective efforts.

B3A, Ronan HUBERT