1. By way of derogation from Article 21(1), where serious, extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances, outside the control of the operator or aircraft operator, prevent the verifier from carrying out a physical site visit and where these circumstances cannot, after using all reasonable efforts, be overcome, the verifier may decide, subject to the approval of the competent authority in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article, to carry out a virtual site visit.

The verifier shall take measures to reduce the verification risk to an acceptable level to obtain reasonable assurance that the operator's or aircraft operator's report is free from material misstatements. A physical visit to the site of the installation or aircraft operator shall be carried out without undue delay.

The decision to carry out a virtual site visit shall be based on the outcome of the risk analysis and after determining that the conditions for carrying out a virtual site visit are met. The verifier shall inform the operator or aircraft operator thereof without undue delay.

2. The operator or aircraft operator shall submit an application to the competent authority requesting the competent authority to approve the verifier's decision to carry out a virtual site visit. The application shall include the following elements: