The Role of Ethics and Public Acceptance in Transportation Accident Investigations: The Greek Case Study

Abstract: Transportation safety investigations aim not only to identify technical failures but also to understand the broader human and organizational factors that contribute to accidents. In recent years, public acceptance has emerged as a critical determinant of the effectiveness of these investigations. Communities increasingly demand accountability, transparency, and ethical integrity in the processes that follow aviation and transportation accidents. The Greek case study presented here, centered on the War Games Laboratory of the Hellenic Air Force Academy (Department of Aeronautical Sciences, Division of Leadership-Command, Humanities and Physiology), and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Science, Technology and Innovation in Society (STIS) Laboratory, examines how ethics and public acceptance interact as fundamental components of accident investigation, prevention, and systemic resilience. The study is part of a broader research hub (2024–2027), in collaboration with Coventry University, Purdue University and Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), which explores the role of individual and organizational ethics in shaping safety outcomes across civil and military aviation. Ethical lapses—such as the concealment of errors, tolerance of procedural violations, or pressure to prioritize efficiency over safety—often act as hidden precursors to accidents. Yet without public trust, the findings of investigative bodies risk being disregarded or contested, limiting their impact on future safety improvements. This dual lens of ethics and acceptance situates the human factor not only within operational decision-making but also within the socio-cultural ecosystem in which aviation systems are embedded. Methodologically, the project employs the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ADDIE approach (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) to integrate ethical reflection into the investigative and training cycle. The Analysis phase systematically reviews Greek and international accident reports, highlighting instances where ethical considerations shaped either the causation or the outcome of investigations. The Design and Development phases employ the War Games Laboratory to create immersive simulations of ethically complex accident scenarios. Finally, the Evaluation phase measures changes in ethical awareness, decision-making behavior, and levels of public trust in investigative outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics allow the detection of hidden ethical vulnerabilities in accident databases, while virtual reality simulations in the War Games Laboratory provide immersive environments for training and reflection. This alignment of ethics with smart, adaptive systems mirrors the role of smart materials in aerospace. By focusing on the Greek case study, this research demonstrates how national institutions can serve as laboratories for integrating ethics and public trust into global aviation safety practices.

Keywords: Ethics, public acceptance, aviation safety, human factors, investigations, ADDIE, War Games Laboratory, STIS Laboratory, Greece

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007105

Cite this paper:

​