FAA reporting requirements after an aircraft incident or accident occurs

Timely Reporting: Navigating FAA Requirements After an Aircraft Incident

When operating any aircraft, from a single-engine piston workhorse to a complex twin-piston marvel, understanding and adhering to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reporting requirements after an incident or accident is paramount. This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about contributing to the collective safety of the aviation community. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the primary agency responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and certain incidents in the United States, and it relies on accurate and timely reporting to fulfill its mission.¹

ACCIDENT VS. INCIDENT: KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Before delving into the reporting specifics, it’s crucial to distinguish between an “accident” and an “incident” as defined by the NTSB under 49 CFR Part 830, “Notification and Reporting of Aircraft Accidents or Incidents and Overdue Aircraft, and Preservation of Aircraft Wreckage, Mail, Cargo, and Records.”²

An aircraft accident is an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft that takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage.³

Serious injury is defined as any injury that:

• Requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within seven days from the date of the injury.⁴
• Results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose).
• Causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon damage.⁵
• Involves any internal organ.⁶
• Involves second or third-degree burns, or any burns affecting more than five percent of the body surface.⁷

Substantial damage is damage or failure that adversely affects the structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics of the aircraft and that would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected compo⁸nent.⁹ It’s important to note what is not considered substantial damage, such as engine failure or damage limited to an engine (if only one engine fails or is damaged), bent fairings or cowling, dented skin, small punctured holes in the skin or fabric, ground damage to rotor or propeller bla¹⁰des, or damage to landing gear, wheels, tires, flaps, engine accessories, brakes, or wingtips.¹¹ For instance, a “gear-up” landing without serious injury typically wouldn’t be classified as an accident unless there’s substantial damage beyond the landing gear itself.

An incident is an occurrence other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft, that affects or could affect the safety of operations. While not as severe as accidents, certain incidents still require immediate notification.

IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION TO THE NTSB

The operator of an aircraft must immediately, and by the most expeditious means available, notify the nearest NTSB Field Office when an aircraft accident occurs, or when any of the following incidents take place:

• Flight control system malfunction or failure.¹²¹³
• Inability of any required flight crewmember to perform normal flight duties as a result of injury or illness.¹⁴¹⁵
• Failure of structural components of a turbine engine, excluding com¹⁶pressor and turbine blades and vanes (though this is more relevant for turbine aircraft, the principle of reporting significant structural failures applies).¹⁷
• In-flight fire.
• Aircraft collide in flight.
• Damage to property, other than the aircraft, estimated to exceed $25,000 for repair (including materials and labor) or fair market value in the event of total loss, whichever is less.¹⁸
• Release of all or a portion of a propeller blade from an aircraft (excluding release caused solely by ground contact).
• A complete loss of information, excluding flickering, from more than 50% of Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) displays, Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) displays, Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) displays, or other similar primary flight displays.¹⁹
• Certain Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) resolution advisories issued under specific flight conditions (primarily for aircraft operating under IFR or in Class A airspace, where compliance is necessary to avert a substantial risk of collision).²⁰
• For large multi-engine aircraft (more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight):
  • In-flight failure of electrical systems that requires the sustained use of an emergency bus powered by a back-up source such as a battery, auxiliary power unit, or air-driven generator to retain flight control or essential instruments.²¹²²
  • In-flight failure of hydraulic systems that results in sustained reliance on the sole remaining hydraulic or²³ mechanical system for movement of flight control surfaces.
  • Sustained loss of the power or thrust produced by two or more engines.
  • An evacuation of an aircraft in which an emergency egress system is utilized.²⁴
• An aircraft is overdue and is believed to have been involved in an accident.²⁵

It is critical to remember that this immediate notification is to the NTSB, not the FAA [1]. While the FAA may be informed by the NTSB, the direct responsibility for initial notification lies with the operator to the NTSB. This prompt reporting helps investigators preserve perishable evidence and initiate the investigation process swiftly.

PRESERVATION OF WRECKAGE AND RECORDS

Following an accident or reportable incident, the operator is responsible for preserving the aircraft wreckage, mail, cargo, and all pertinent records until the NTSB takes custody or releases them.²⁶ This means you should not move or disturb the wreckage, except to:

• Remove persons injured or trapped.²⁷
• Protect the wreckage from further damage.
• Protect the public from injury.

If the wreckage must be moved for these reasons, sketches, descriptive notes, and photographs should be made to document the original positions and condition of the wreckage and any significant impact marks. All records pertaining to the aircraft’s operation and maintenance, and to the airmen, must be retained.

WRITTEN ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTS

In addition to the immediate notification, a written report is often required. For an accident, the operator must file a report on NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report) with the nearest NTSB field office within 10 days after the accident. If an aircraft is overdue and is still missing after seven days, a written report is also required.²⁸ For incidents that require immediate notification, a written report is only required if requested by an authorized representative of the NTSB.

Every crewmember, if physically able, must attach a statement to the report detailing the facts, conditions, and circumstances relating to the accident or incident as they appeared.²⁹ If a crewmember is incapacitated, their statement should be submitted as soon as physically possible [2].

THE AERO CENTER’S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

At The Aero Center, we understand that incidents and accidents, while rare, can be incredibly stressful. While we hope you never experience such an event, being prepared and knowing your reporting obligations is a crucial part of aviation safety. Our commitment to meticulous maintenance and adherence to regulatory standards is rooted in preventing these occurrences. We believe that consistent, high-quality maintenance, performed by experienced professionals, significantly reduces the likelihood of mechanical failures that could lead to reportable events. Many pilots and aircraft owners throughout California, Arizona, and Nevada trust us with their single-engine and twin-piston aircraft because they know our dedication to airworthiness. This social proof, built on years of reliable service, underscores our authority in the field.

Should an unforeseen event occur, knowing you have a maintenance partner who understands the intricacies of aircraft systems and the importance of regulatory compliance can provide peace of mind. We are the only 24/7 maintenance center in the region, a unique selling proposition designed to minimize aircraft downtime, even in unexpected circumstances. We are here to support you in maintaining your aircraft to the highest standards, ensuring that it is always ready for safe flight.

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FOOTNOTES

[1] National Transportation Safety Board. “Report an Aircraft Accident to the NTSB.” NTSB.gov.

[2] Federal Aviation Administration. “Safety, Accident, and Hazard Reports.” FAA.gov.

[3] Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. “49 CFR Part 830 – Notification and Reporting of Aircraft Accidents or Incidents and Overdue Aircraft, and Preservation of Aircraft Wreckage, Mail, Cargo, and Records.”30 eCFR.gov.

[4] Experimental Aircraft Association. “Aircraft Accident and Incident Reporting.” EAA.org.

The Aero Center is located at William J. Fox Airfield KWJF | Lancaster, CA. Contact us at 209.885.6950 for questions or appointments.