Current OPNAV instructions specify that the surviving crew members (if physically able to do so) or the first military personnel arriving at the scene of an aircraft accident must take charge until relieved by proper authority. At the scene of the accident, you will be working for the officer in charge (OIC). You report to and receive your orders from the OIC. In many cases, it may be possible for you to accompany the crash rescue party to the accident. The sooner an experienced and qualified photographer can get to the scene of an accident, the better the possibilities of acquiring more valuable photographic evidence. You should commence taking pictures immediately upon arrival. Pictures made before extensive fire damage can reveal information that might otherwise be lost.

Safety of personnel involved is of primary concern in every aircraft accident. Rescue operations and removal of occupants from the aircraft should be among your first photographs. When medical treatment is being given to survivors of the accident, photograph it not only for documenting the treatment but for the purpose of isolating factual information on human failure. Casualties should also be photographed in the positions they occupy when you arrive on the scene. Photographs of the dead should be made to show the location of the wreckage and the position of each body in relation to it.

You should be advised of any classified material involved, and it should be either covered or removed before photographs are made unless it is important to the accident investigation. This is a situation where close liaison with the OIC is absolutely necessary.

News reporters may gather at the scene and because you, as a photographer, have something in common with them, they will naturally seek you out. Do not attempt to tell a reporter what to write. Do not make a statement, express an opinion, or provide information about the accident (fig. 6-9).

Photographic Record

In almost every accident, a certain minimum number of photographs is usually required. These apply to automobile, motorcycle, personal injury, or any type of accident.

PH2 John Gay 302.281

Figure 6-10. USS White Plains is blown hard aground at Polaris Point, Apra Harbor, Guam.

A complete photographic record should include photographs of the general terrain or site of the accident, overall views of undisturbed wreckage, reconstructed components or systems, and closeup views of important or significant structural or other material failures. The terrain pictures should show any surface irregularities, presence of damage to buildings, trees, or other objects, point of first contact, impact marks, and so forth. The photographs should be made as soon after you arrive at the scene as possible, since subsequent investigation work or other conditions may alter or destroy the evidence. After the terrain pictures have been obtained, you should concentrate on photographing the undisturbed wreckage. The emphasis here should be on showing the attitude of the aircraft or vehicle at the point of impact, the general extent of damage, and the presence or absence of all major components, such as the wings, stabilizers, elevators, rudder, and ailerons.

When fire indications are found in various areas of the wreckage, show these indications together with any corresponding indications of tire in the surrounding area. These later photographs can often be used to substantiate findings of ground fire versus in-flight fire. Other points that appear to be significant from a preliminary examination should be recorded before the detailed wreckage examination is begun. Very often the investigator decides to reconstruct or rearrange particular parts of the wreckage to determine failure patterns. A photographic record should be made of such reconstruction work to assist in the subsequent evaluation. Finally, closeup views of important structural failures should be included in the photographic record.

In general, the photographic record should be complete enough to permit a person who is reviewing and evaluating the accident report to appreciate the significance of the investigator's finding. While the investigator's report must contain a detailed write-up of the damage, it is still true that one picture can often take the place of many words (fig. 6-10). The investigator should use photographs as another tool in complete and accurate reporting. Each photograph included in the report should purport to show a separate point or detail relative to the accident.

When evidence is to be presented, get a good picture of it. You are not a mind reader and cannot be expected to get the pictures that are contained only in the investigator's mind. Normally, you must ask the investigator exactly what is to be photographed.

Pertinent photographs of the following details are always required:

General view of the scene along the wreckage pattern to the point of first contact.

Aerial view of the accident scene (aircraft).

Damage to objects struck

BUNO or license plate.

All major parts of the wreckage.

Detailed view of the cockpit, instrument panels, switch settings, and control handles (aircraft).

Engines and propellers.

Wheels and landing gear assemblies (aircraft).

All parts involved in, or suspected of structural failure, or of having contributed directly to the accident. These photographs should have sufficient detail to show the grain of the metal at the failure point or other detailed information, such as the direction of shear of the rivets.

Any failed part that has been established as the cause of the accident or is believed to be significant to the cause of the accident should be photographed in detail.

When photographing small, important pieces of evidence, the parts should not only be photographed in the field but they should be removed from the scene and photographed in the studio under controlled conditions. This ensures that the photographs of the items in question are clear and well defined. It is a good practice to photograph the failed part and an undamaged like item in the same exposure so the failure is readily apparent.

To avoid confusion, you should assign all aircraft accident photographs exhibit numbers and carry descriptive captions to point out the details of evidence

to which they contribute. A picture without an explanation is confusing and worthless.

Each aircraft accident photograph should be readily identifiable, and to ensure this necessary requirement, you must identify all photographs with the following information: Date of accident

Location of accident

Type of accident

Type of aircraft

BUNO of aircraft

Part and part number (where applicable)

Squadron

Aircraft accident report number

Special handling note according to OPNAVINST 5290.1

At a minimum, the following items should be included in your camera bag for an accident or arson scene:

1. Camera and normal lens

2. Wide angle and telephoto lenses

3. Flash unit and extra batteries

4. Large amount of color and black-and-white film

5. Extra sync cord for the flash

6. Flashlight

7. Note pad and pen

8. Macro lens or closeup filters

9. Surgical gloves

10. Ruler

11. Tape measure