About the expert and the practice
Who is AeroXpert Investigations?
AeroXpert Investigations is the aviation accident investigation and expert witness practice of AeroXpert Group, led by Dr. Thomas M. Friesacher, MSc, a sworn and court-certified aviation expert in Austria. It provides independent technical expertise to courts, prosecutors, counsel, insurers, operators and investigation bodies in Austria, Europe and internationally.
Who is Dr. Thomas M. Friesacher?
Dr. Friesacher is a sworn and court-certified expert in aviation, flight training and aircraft accident investigation, and a retired airline line captain and flight instructor. He holds a PhD and MSc in Safety and Accident Investigation (Air Transport) from Cranfield University and lectures at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. Dr. Friesacher is present in Austria and Dubai and serves clients internationally.
What qualifications and certifications does Dr. Friesacher hold?
He is a sworn and court-certified expert in Austria (specialist field 17.30: transport, aviation and accident investigation), DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024:2012 certified for aviation and flight operations, an independent external expert to EASA and an accredited adviser to the European Commission. He is also a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI).
Where is AeroXpert Investigations located?
Offices are in Upper Austria (Schwanenstadt), Vienna and Dubai (through AeroXpert Visuals International L.L.C-FZ), so Dr. Friesacher has a presence in both Europe and the Middle East. Services are delivered in English and German.
Does Dr. Friesacher work internationally?
Yes. Dr. Friesacher serves clients in Austria, across Europe and internationally, with a presence in Dubai alongside his Austrian offices. AeroXpert Group's network spans airlines, investigation authorities, manufacturers and aviation specialists in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
How does AeroXpert Investigations relate to AeroXpert Group?
It is the investigation and expert-witness company within AeroXpert Group. Sister companies provide crisis consulting (AeroXpert Consulting) and forensic 3D visualisation (AeroXpert Visuals).
Independent aviation experts
What does an aviation expert witness do?
An aviation expert witness prepares independent, impartial technical opinions and explains them to courts and the parties. Dr. Friesacher provides written expert opinions and explains his findings at hearings.
When do you need an independent aviation expert?
When a court, prosecutor, authority, lawyer or insurer needs an objective technical assessment of an accident, incident or aviation dispute. Engaging Dr. Friesacher early helps preserve evidence and frame the right technical questions.
What qualifications should an aviation accident expert have?
Look for recognised academic training in accident investigation, practical aviation experience and court or standards-based certification. Dr. Friesacher combines Cranfield University degrees, airline-captain experience and Austrian court certification.
What is the difference between an official investigator and an independent expert?
An official investigator works for a state authority on safety causes, while an independent expert is instructed by a party, court or insurer to provide a technical opinion. Dr. Friesacher acts as an independent expert.
What is the difference between a safety investigation and a liability investigation?
A safety investigation aims to prevent future accidents and does not assign blame. Liability and expert-witness work, as provided by Dr. Friesacher, assesses the evidence for courts, prosecutors, lawyers and insurers.
How do I become an aviation expert witness?
Typically through deep aviation or investigation experience, relevant qualifications and formal certification under national rules. In Austria, court experts are sworn and certified for a specific specialist field, as Dr. Friesacher is for field 17.30.
How much does an aviation expert witness cost?
Cost depends on scope, volume of evidence, whether a scene visit is needed and whether a hearing is required. AeroXpert Investigations scopes each matter after a confidential briefing.
Is the expert independent, and how are conflicts of interest handled?
Each engagement starts with a conflict-of-interest review before an opinion is prepared. As a sworn, court-certified expert, Dr. Friesacher is bound to independence, and AeroXpert Group does not accept instructions from opposing parties in the same matter.
For courts, prosecutors and lawyers
Who can prepare an expert opinion for an aviation case in Austria or Europe?
Dr. Friesacher of AeroXpert Investigations prepares expert opinions for courts, public prosecutors, administrative authorities, lawyers, insurers and research institutions in Austria, Europe and internationally, from offices in Austria and Dubai.
Can an independent expert review an official accident report?
Yes. Dr. Friesacher can review the report and case file, assess whether the findings are supported by the evidence and distinguish supported findings from assumptions.
Can accident investigation reports be used in court?
This depends on the jurisdiction, as official safety reports are often legally restricted in litigation. Courts and counsel therefore frequently rely on an independent expert opinion such as one prepared by Dr. Friesacher.
Can a private client or law firm involve an expert in an official investigation?
Taking part in an official investigation itself is possible only by official appointment. However, Dr. Friesacher of AeroXpert Investigations can represent and advise parties to the investigation, including private clients and law firms, and can prepare comments on the investigation before the final report is released.
Will the expert explain findings at a hearing?
Yes. Dr. Friesacher explains the opinion in court or to the instructing party and shows how the evidence supports each finding.
For insurers
When should an insurer instruct an aviation accident expert?
As early as possible after a serious incident or accident, so evidence is preserved and the cause is assessed independently. Dr. Friesacher supports insurers and claims handlers with causation analysis and damage assessment.
Can an expert assess damage in a general aviation claim?
Yes. AeroXpert Investigations analyses general aviation occurrences, including training flights, and assesses damage in related technical disputes.
Can an expert preserve evidence at the accident site?
Yes, when the site remains accessible. Dr. Friesacher conducts a forensic survey and preserves evidence to support the later analysis.
For airlines, operators and investigation bodies
Who can investigate an incident or operational disruption in commercial aviation?
AeroXpert Investigations investigates incidents, operational disruptions and accidents in airline, helicopter and other commercial flight operations. Dr. Friesacher brings airline-captain and investigator experience.
Can an independent expert support an official investigation?
Yes, within limits. AeroXpert Investigations offers independent technical support for operators and investigation bodies, working in line with ICAO Annex 13 and EU Regulation 996/2010. Direct participation in an official investigation requires official appointment, but Dr. Friesacher can represent parties to the investigation and comment before the final report is released.
Which specialist topics does AeroXpert Investigations cover?
Forensic evidence preservation, fire analysis, explosive sabotage, flight data monitoring analysis, disaster victim identification (DVI), accident scene risk management, human performance, interview techniques for witness hearings, wreckage examination and airworthiness and maintenance investigation.
How investigations work
How does an air accident investigation work, step by step?
It follows six steps: evidence intake, scene investigation, accident analysis, expert report, evidence assessment and, where required, a hearing. Dr. Friesacher applies this method to deliver independent, defensible conclusions.
What if the accident site is no longer accessible?
Dr. Friesacher can review an existing case file and analyse the evidence gathered earlier, instead of conducting a site visit.
Who investigates plane crashes?
The national safety investigation authority of the state where the accident occurred leads official investigations, under ICAO Annex 13 and, in the EU, Regulation (EU) No 996/2010. Courts, insurers and parties can additionally instruct an independent expert such as Dr. Friesacher.
What is ICAO Annex 13?
It is the international standard for aircraft accident and incident investigation, covering who investigates, how evidence is handled and how reports are published. Dr. Friesacher works in line with ICAO Annex 13 and EU Regulation 996/2010.
What do flight recorders (black boxes) show?
The flight data recorder logs parameters such as speed, altitude and control inputs, and the cockpit voice recorder captures crew conversations and cockpit sounds. Dr. Friesacher combines this data with wreckage, maintenance and operational records.
Who is responsible for a plane crash?
Responsibility depends on the evidence and applicable law, and may involve operators, crews, manufacturers, maintenance organisations or air traffic services. Courts and authorities decide, informed by independent expert analysis such as Dr. Friesacher's.
Can you also provide 3D accident reconstruction?
Yes, through AeroXpert Visuals, a sister company in AeroXpert Group, which turns evidence into courtroom-ready visualisation, with Dr. Friesacher's investigative expertise.
How to engage
How do I request an expert opinion or briefing?
Use the "Request a confidential briefing" form on aeroxpert-investigations.com, describing your organisation, the jurisdiction and the nature of the matter. AeroXpert Investigations reviews each enquiry to confirm scope and independence before preparing an opinion.
How quickly will I get a response?
Professional enquiries are answered on working days, Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 CET. Emergency support is available 24/7.
Is emergency support available after an accident?
Yes. AeroXpert Investigations provides 24/7 emergency contact: Europe +43 699 18226286, International +971 58594 6823, or via WhatsApp.
Is my enquiry confidential?
Yes. Each engagement begins with a confidential briefing, and AeroXpert Investigations never publishes casework.