NTSB Accident and Incident Reporting (49 CFR Part 830)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), not the FAA, sets the rules for reporting aircraft accidents and incidents in 49 CFR Part 830. Start with the definitions, because they decide which rule applies. An AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT is an occurrence between the time anyone boards with the intention of flight and the time all have disembarked, in which a person suffers death or serious injury OR the aircraft receives substantial damage. An INCIDENT is any other occurrence associated with operating an aircraft that affects or could affect safety. A FATAL INJURY is one that results in death within 30 days of the accident. A SERIOUS INJURY is one that requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours beginning within 7 days; or fractures any bone except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or the nose; or causes severe hemorrhage or nerve, muscle, or tendon damage; or injures any internal organ; or causes second- or third-degree burns or any burns over more than 5 percent of the body. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE adversely affects the aircraft’s structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics and normally needs major repair or replacement — but the rule expressly does NOT count single-engine failure or damage, bent fairings or cowling, dented skin, small punctures in the skin or fabric, ground damage to rotor or propeller blades, or damage to landing gear, wheels, tires, flaps, engine accessories, brakes, or wingtips. Next, timing. The operator must IMMEDIATELY, by the most expeditious means available, notify the nearest NTSB office when an accident or one of the listed serious incidents occurs — those include a flight-control-system malfunction or failure, a crewmember who cannot perform normal duties from injury or illness, an in-flight fire, an in-flight collision, and damage to property (other than the aircraft) estimated to exceed $25,000; you also notify when an aircraft is overdue and believed to have been in an accident. The notification gives the basics if available: aircraft type and registration, owner and operator, the pilot-in-command, date and time, departure point and intended destination, position, the number aboard and how many were killed or seriously injured, the nature of the event and damage, and any dangerous articles carried. After notifying, PRESERVE the scene: the operator must protect the wreckage, cargo, mail, and all records (including recorders) until the NTSB takes custody, and may disturb the wreckage only as necessary to remove injured or trapped persons, to protect the wreckage from further damage, or to protect the public — and if it must be moved, make sketches, notes, and photographs of the original position first. Finally, the PAPERWORK: the operator files a written report on the NTSB accident/incident report form (Form 6120.1/2) within 10 days after an accident, or after 7 days if an overdue aircraft is still missing. A report on an incident is filed only if the NTSB asks for it.