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1. The staff of the safety investigation authority in charge, or any other person called upon to participate in or contribute to the safety investigation shall be bound by applicable rules of professional secrecy, including as regards the anonymity of those involved in an accident or incident, under the applicable legislation.

2. Without prejudice to the obligations set out in Articles 16 and 17, the safety investigation authority in charge shall communicate the information which it deems relevant to the prevention of an accident or serious incident, to persons responsible for aircraft or aircraft equipment manufacture or maintenance, and to individuals or legal entities responsible for operating aircraft or for the training of personnel.

3. Without prejudice to the obligations set out in Articles 16 and 17, the safety investigation authority in charge and the accredited representative(s) referred to in Article 8 shall release to EASA and national civil aviation authorities relevant factual information obtained during the safety investigation, except information referred to in Article 14(1) or causing a conflict of interest. The information received by EASA and the national civil aviation authorities shall be protected in accordance with Article 14 and applicable legal acts of the Union and national legislation.

4. The safety investigation authority in charge shall be aųthorised to inform victims and their relatives or their associations or make public any information on the factual observations, the proceedings of the safety investigation, possibly preliminary reports or conclusions and/or safety recommendations, provided that it does not compromise the objectives of the safety investigation and fully complies with applicable legislation on the protection of personal data.

5. Before making public the information referred to in paragraph 4, the safety investigation authority in charge shall forward that information to the victims and their relatives or their associations in a way which does not compromise the objectives of the safety investigation.