The Bureau of Accident Investigations (BEA) organised a scientific and technical seminar in December 2025, marking the institution’s final technical meeting of the year. The seminar was held in accordance with the BEA’s Annual Work Plan approved by its Board of Directors.
Centred on two major themes, the seminar addressed the analysis of human factors in the occurrence of aviation accidents and incidents, as well as an overview of Benin’s civil aviation system from the perspective of the BEA. The event brought together stakeholders from the Cotonou airport platform alongside external participants, underlining the importance placed on experience sharing and the strengthening of air safety culture.
The proceedings were moderated by the BEA Auditor, who ensured the coordination of the various presentations and facilitated structured discussions throughout the session.
Human factors in aviation accidents and incidents
The first presentation focused on human factors as a central element in understanding the occurrence of civil aviation accidents and incidents. Discussions highlighted that, despite continued technological progress in aviation, human factors remain a major contributing cause in many occurrences.
Several dimensions of human factors were examined, including psychological aspects such as stress, operational pressure and decision-making, as well as physiological factors including fatigue, lack of sleep and sensory limitations. Communication failures and organisational factors linked to safety culture were also identified as significant contributors.
The BEA emphasised that effective control of these factors is essential to accident prevention. This is achieved through systemic analysis of events and the formulation of appropriate safety recommendations aimed at reducing risk and improving operational safety.
Overview of Benin’s civil aviation system
The second presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the civil aviation system in Benin. The speaker outlined the range of stakeholders operating within the aviation ecosystem, with particular focus on the Bernardin Gantin Airport in Cotonou and the country’s secondary inland airfields.
The presentation recalled the international and national regulatory framework governing civil aviation, as well as the role of the Ministry of Living Environment and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development. It also detailed the respective missions of key public and technical bodies, including ANAC, the BEA, SAB, Météo-Bénin and ASECNA, alongside other institutional and technical partners.
Emphasis was placed on the interconnection between these actors in ensuring the safety, security and development of air transport in Benin.
BEA’s role in accident prevention
Through the seminar, the BEA reaffirmed its core mandate to conduct safety investigations into serious civil aviation accidents and incidents occurring on Beninese territory or within territorial waters, particularly when Benin-registered aircraft are involved.
The objective of these investigations remains the prevention of accident recurrence, based on rigorous analysis of events, identification of contributing factors and the issuance of safety recommendations, without seeking to assign blame.
As the BEA’s final scientific and technical seminar of 2025, the event contributed to consolidating achievements in air safety and strengthening cooperation among stakeholders in the aviation sub-sector. It forms part of a broader national effort to promote safe civil aviation in line with international standards, with a clear focus on prevention and the sustainable development of air transport in Benin.
