Aviation expert opinions and accident investigation
Expert
Dr. Thomas M. Friesacher, MSc
A sworn and court-certified expert in aviation, flight training and aircraft accident investigation.
Dr. Friesacher provides technical assessments and expert opinions to help resolve aviation disputes.
As an independent external expert, he advises EASA in selected subject areas and provides expertise to the European Commission, including for Horizon 2020.
His reports combine specialist expertise with scientifically sound methods to provide independent, impartial and objective assessments.
Objective. Independent. International.
Accreditation
Professional credentials and affiliations
Each opinion draws on court certification, academic training in accident investigation and experience as an independent institutional expert.
Mandates
Independent expertise for professional clients
We prepare expert reports for courts, public prosecutors, administrative authorities, lawyers, insurers and research institutions.
Specialist companies within AeroXpert Group provide crisis consulting and forensic visualisation services.
Courts, public prosecutors and administrative authorities
Aviation litigation lawyers and in-house counsel
Insurance companies and claims handlers
Airlines, operators and investigation bodies
Research institutions requiring independent technical input
Aircraft manufacturers and aerospace organisations
Expertise
Expert opinions, occurrence analysis and forensic investigation support
Our assessments are independent and impartial, using scientifically sound methods to reach conclusions supported by evidence.
01 / Investigation
Airline and commercial operations
We investigate incidents, accidents and operational disruptions in airline, helicopter and other commercial flight operations.
02 / Analysis
General aviation
We analyse occurrences involving general aviation aircraft, including training flights, and assess damage in related technical disputes.
03 / Forensic
Forensic evidence
We help preserve accident scenes and collect forensic evidence when the site remains accessible.
04 / Expert witness
Expert opinions
We prepare written expert opinions for courts, prosecutors, administrative authorities, lawyers, insurers and research institutions, and explain our findings at hearings.
Special areas
Specialist support tailored to the matter
Forensic evidence preservation
Explosive sabotage
Fire analysis in aircraft accidents
Flight data monitoring analysis
Disaster victim identification (DVI) for air accident investigators
Accident scene risk management
ICAO Annex 13 and EU Regulation 996/2010
Human performance investigation for air accident investigators
Interview techniques for witness hearings
Systematic and scientific analysis techniques for aircraft and helicopter accidents
Wreckage examination and reconstruction
Airworthiness and maintenance investigation
Method
From evidence to an expert opinion
Our approach combines careful evidence handling, scientific analysis and clear reporting to produce an independent, defensible expert opinion.
01
Evidence intake
We collect and secure the available records and evidence using forensic methods informed by current scientific knowledge.
02
Scene investigation
When the accident site remains accessible, we conduct a comprehensive forensic survey and preserve evidence to support the subsequent analysis.
03
Accident analysis
We analyse evidence gathered at the scene or review an existing case file when a site visit is no longer possible.
04
Expert report
We prepare an independent, objective expert report based on the available evidence and current scientific knowledge.
05
Evidence assessment
We assess the evidence objectively and independently, distinguishing supported findings from assumptions.
06
Hearing
We explain the opinion in court or to the instructing party, showing how the evidence supports each finding.
Credentials
Academic qualifications and professional experience
Dr. Thomas M. Friesacher, MSc, combines academic training in accident investigation with court certification and operational flying experience.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Safety and Accident Investigation (Air Transport), Cranfield University, UK
Master of Science (MSc) in Safety and Accident Investigation (Air Transport), Cranfield University, UK
University-certified Safety Management expert
University-certified Flight Data Monitoring and Flight Operational Assurance expert
University-certified Crisis Management and Business Continuity Management expert
University-certified air accident investigator and safety investigator
University-certified Hazards and Evidence Awareness Air Accident Responder
DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024:2012 certified expert, aviation and flight operations
Independent external expert to EASA
Independent accredited adviser and expert to the European Commission
Retired line captain and flight instructor
Lecturer, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences
Member of the European and International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI)
Sworn and court-certified expert in Austria, specialist field 17.30: transport, aviation and accident investigation
Research
Scientific publications
Dr. Friesacher's research examines how commuting affects airline pilots' stress levels before duty and their performance. A study of European airline pilots took place in summer 2014, followed by further doctoral research at Cranfield University's Institute for Accident Investigation.
Pilot commuting research, Cranfield University
SemNOTAM, with JKU Linz and Frequentis AG
Intercultural cooperation lecture, FH Salzburg
Selected public work
This page features only papers and talks shared through established academic and professional venues. All casework remains confidential and is never published here or elsewhere.
Friesacher, T. (2015). Aspects of a European Airline Pilot Commute. Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK.
Steiner, D., Kovacic, I., Burgstaller, F., Schrefl, M., Friesacher, T., Gringinger, E. (2016). Semantic Enrichment of DNOTAMs to Reduce Information Overload in Pilot Briefings. ICNS, Herndon, VA.
Friesacher, T., Greaves, M. (2016). The Effect of Commuting on Pilot Self-assessment of Stress and Performance. ISASI Conference, Reykjavik.
3D accident reconstruction services are provided by AeroXpert Visuals. You can find information about crisis and safety programmes at aeroxpert.eu.
Contact
Request a confidential briefing
Please tell us about your organisation, the relevant jurisdiction and the nature of the matter. We review each professional enquiry to confirm the scope of work and our independence before preparing an opinion.
We respond to professional enquiries on working days. Emergency contact is available 24/7.
Dr. Thomas M. Friesacher, MScHe is a sworn and court-certified expert in transport, aviation and aircraft accident investigation.
International Offices
Upper AustriaGmundnerstrasse 32 / Top 2
4690 Schwanenstadt
Austria
ViennaZollergasse 25 / Top 14
1070 Vienna
Austria
Emergency Europe+43 699 18226286
DubaiAeroXpert Visuals International L.L.C-FZ
Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor
Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Emergency International+971 58594 6823
VAT number: ATU74400748
Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 CET
Emergency: 24/7
We confirm the scope of work and our independence before preparing an expert opinion.
01
Tell us who you are
Tell us your organisation and role, and briefly describe the matter.
02
Independence and scope
We review the scope of work and confirm our independence before preparing an opinion.
03
Secure follow-up
We agree on the terms of the engagement and a suitable secure channel for transferring evidence.