The level of investigative response is determined by resource availability and factors such as those detailed below. These factors (expressed in no particular order) may vary in the degree to which they influence ATSB decisions to investigate and respond. Factors include:
- the anticipated safety value of an investigation, including the likelihood of furthering the understanding of the scope and impact of any safety system failures
- the likelihood of safety action arising from the investigation, particularly of national or global significance
- the existence and extent of fatalities/serious injuries and/or structural damage to transport vehicles or other infrastructure
- the unique value an ATSB investigation will provide over any other investigation by industry, regulators or police
- the obligations or recommendations under international conventions and codes
- the nature and extent of public interest – in particular, the potential impact on public confidence in the safety of the transport system
- the existence of supporting evidence, or requirements, to conduct a special investigation based on trends
- the relevance to identified and targeted safety programs
- the extent of resources available, and projected to be available, in the event of conflicting priorities
- the risks associated with not investigating – including consideration of whether, in the absence of an ATSB investigation, a credible safety investigation by another party is likely
- the timeliness of notification
- the training benefit for ATSB investigators.