MJ
public interest and safety
BoIs/SIs are required to address public safety, as it is included in the definition of airworthiness. But they don't always.
Leon - Correct about Crown Proceedings Act. When Sect 10 was repealed, everyone in MoD with airworthiness delegation had their delegation amended and a personal briefing on what it meant. I had mine at a refresher course run by ADRP, but with speakers from Cranfield. Ironically, the course notes were prime evidence to Lord Philip, as they proved MoD had lied over the Chinook Mk2 Release to Service. Unfortunately, this initial burst of enthusiasm by ADRP was not sustained, mainly because AMSO (RAF Chief Engineer) slashed funding (1992-94) and declared airworthiness optional (1992), and then not to be bothered with at all (1992-3). This meant future generations (and a generation is a 2-3 tour length) were not taught properly.
keithl - Well presented arguments.