- Accident vs Incident: Accidents involve death, serious injury, or substantial damage; incidents do not.
- Fatal Injury: Defined as a death occurring within 30 days of the event.
- Serious Injury: Includes severe burns, fractures, or hospitalization over 48 hours.
- Substantial Damage: Damage affecting structural integrity, performance, or requiring major repair.
- Immediate Notification: Required for accidents within 10 days; incidents often require notification only upon request.
Definitions: Accident vs Incident
Understanding the distinction between an accident and an incident is fundamental for any pilot or aviation professional. The definitions are strictly outlined in regulations, specifically Part 830, and knowing them is crucial for both safety and legal compliance.
Video Highlights:
- Definitions start when you board with intent to fly
- Key sub-categories: Fatal, Serious Injury, Substantial Damage
- Immediate notification timelines explained
An accident is defined by specific severity criteria. For an event to be classified as an accident, it must occur from the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all persons have disembarked. Within this timeframe, an accident occurs if there is a fatal injury, serious injury, or substantial damage to the aircraft.
An incident is essentially an occurrence that does not meet the criteria of an accident. If an event happens that affects the safety of operations but does not result in death, serious injury, or substantial damage, it is classified as an incident.
Remember to start with the definition of an accident. If the event does not fit the accident criteria (fatal, serious, substantial), it is automatically classified as an incident. This exclusion method is the easiest way to categorize events correctly during a checkride or real-world scenario.
Classifying Injuries and Damages
To determine if an event is an accident, you must evaluate the outcome against three specific sub-categories. The distinction often hinges on the severity of the injury or the extent of the damage.
| Category | Definition | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Fatal Injury | Death resulting from the accident | Must occur within 30 days of the accident |
| Serious Injury | Physical harm requiring extensive treatment | Hospitalization >48 hours, fractures, severe burns >5% of body |
| Substantial Damage | Damage to the aircraft structure or systems | Failure or major damage affecting airworthiness or performance |
Not all damage is "substantial." Minor dents, bent fairings, or damage to landing gear wheels, tires, or flaps often do not qualify unless they affect structural integrity or flight performance. Always consult Part 830 for specific exclusions.
Detailed Injury Breakdown
When assessing injuries, precision is necessary. A "serious injury" is strictly defined to separate significant trauma from minor bumps.
Check for Fatalities
Verify if any person involved has died as a result of the accident. If death occurs within 30 days, the event is an accident involving a fatal injury.
Assess Physical Trauma
Look for evidence of serious injury. This includes bone fractures, internal organ damage, or severe lacerations.
Evaluate Burns and Hospitalization
Check for second or third-degree burns covering more than 5% of the body surface. Also, confirm if any person was hospitalized for more than 48 hours within 7 days of the accident.
Serious Incidents vs. Immediate Notification
While accidents require specific reporting timelines, certain incidents are elevated to "Serious Incidents" due to their potential risk. Additionally, understanding when to notify authorities is a critical skill.
| Event Type | Immediate Notification Required? | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Accident | Yes | Within 10 days |
| Serious Incident | Only if requested by NTSB | Upon request |
| Overdue Aircraft | Yes | Within 7 days of awareness |
A Serious Incident is an incident that could have resulted in an accident. Examples include major flight control failures, in-flight fires, or incapacitation of flight crew. While these are not "accidents" because the outcome (crash/injury) was avoided, they are significant enough to warrant specific attention in the regulations.
For serious incidents, you generally wait for the NTSB to contact you. Unlike accidents or overdue aircraft where you must initiate the report immediately, serious incidents often only require a response if an inquiry is made.
Reporting Protocol
If you determine an event is an accident, "immediate notification" is mandatory. This means you must notify the nearest NTSB field office as expeditiously as possible. The definition of "immediate" is qualitative, but the 10-day hard limit is the regulatory maximum.
Notify For
- Fatal or serious injury
- Substantial damage
- Aircraft missing/overdue
Methods
- Telephone
- Fastest available means
Timelines
- Accidents: 10 days
- Overdue: 7 days
- Serious Incident: As requested
Post-Accident Procedures
In the unfortunate event of an accident, your actions immediately following the event are critical. Safety remains the priority, followed by evidence preservation.
Preservation of Wreckage Once persons have been removed to safety, you must make every reasonable effort to preserve the aircraft wreckage. Treat the scene like a crime scene. Do not move, disturb, or tamper with the wreckage until authorized by the NTSB or relevant investigating authority. Moving parts can destroy vital evidence needed to determine the cause.
Preservation of wreckage is secondary to saving lives. You are fully authorized and encouraged to move wreckage or cut into the aircraft to extricate victims or prevent further injury (e.g., fire). Documentation is key if you must move items.
Essential Checklist
Use the following checklist if you are involved in an event. This helps ensure you meet legal requirements and maintain safety standards.
Event Response Checklist:
- Ensure safety of all persons on board
- Administer first aid or seek medical assistance
- Classify the event: Accident vs Incident vs Serious Incident
- Notify NTSB immediately if it is an accident or overdue aircraft
- Preserve wreckage and prevent disturbance (if safe to do so)
- Document the scene with photos or notes if possible
- Check for Serious Incident criteria if no accident occurred
Regulatory Reference
The primary source for all definitions and reporting requirements is the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Part 830. During your training, specifically the Private Pilot License checkride, you will be expected to know where to find this information rather than memorizing every single word.
During the oral exam, you are allowed to reference regulations. Use your Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and the FAR/AIM to locate Part 830. Pointing out the specific section is often better than reciting the text from memory.
Q: Does an accident have to happen in the air?
No. An accident covers the timeframe from when you board with the intention of flight until you disembark. Events during taxi, loading, or engine start can be accidents if they meet the criteria for fatal injury, serious injury, or substantial damage.
Q: Is a propeller strike considered an accident?
It depends on the outcome. If the propeller strike causes substantial damage to the aircraft or results in a serious injury to a person, it is an accident. If it results in minor repairable damage and no injuries, it may be classified as an incident.
Q: What is the difference between an incident and a serious incident?
A 'serious incident' is a specific regulatory term for an incident that could have easily resulted in an accident (e.g., engine failure over a populated area, in-flight fire). A standard incident is a lower severity event that affects safety but does not pose the same immediate catastrophic potential.
Q: Who do I notify if I am unsure if it is an accident or incident?
If there is any doubt, it is safer to notify the NTSB immediately. Failing to report an accident is a violation. Providing them with information allows them to determine the classification officially.