Carlton Browne
You, like many others on this thread, fail to appreciate that the BOI is the AOC's BOI. In this particular case the BOI was convened by the then AOC 1Gp (AVM Day at that time). Air Officers Commanding are busy people and accidents do not happen at pre- arranged intervals; in fact the number of Unit Inquiries (Cat 1&2 damage) and Boards of Inquiry (Cat 3,4 & 5 damage and all accidents involving fatalities) was well into double figures at that time.
It would be impossible for any AOC to personally conduct all Unit Inquiries/ BOI's affecting his Group in addition to his normal duties. The team of a Wg Cdr President with a Sqn Ldr Pilot and an Flt Lt Eng Officer composed the Investigating Board which is the initial part of the BOI process. This team reported to the AOC.
After AOC 1Gp had completed his remarks the BOI was forwarded to HQSTC for staffing and review by AOC in C STC. Following this, and uniquely in my experience, the completed BOI was reviewed by CAS: no revision was made to the BOI Findings following either review.
Since that time a further 4 Chiefs of the Air Staff have been involved and none have seen fit to overturn the Findings.