- Accident vs Incident: Accidents involve death or serious injury; incidents do not.
- FAR 91.15: Mandatory reporting timelines for operators and pilots.
- NTSB Form 6120.1: The official document for reporting accidents.
- AIM Appendix 1: Contains the complete glossary of definitions.
- Safety Culture: Reporting incidents prevents future accidents.
FAR and AIM Definitions
The Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) provide specific legal definitions. Confusing an accident vs incident can lead to regulatory violations and delayed investigations.
Understanding the precise legal language is the first step in compliance. The definitions found in 49 CFR 830 and referenced in the AIM determine if an event requires immediate notification to the NTSB.
| Term | Core Requirement | Key Thresholds |
|---|---|---|
| Accident | Occurs from flight operations | Fatal injury / Serious injury / Substantial damage |
| Incident | Occurs from flight operations | Lower severity / Could have affected safety |
| Serious Injury | Specific injury types | Hospitalization >48hrs / Fractures / Severe burns |
| Substantial Damage | Damage to airframe | Failure or structural damage requiring major repair |
Note that "substantial damage" usually excludes damage to landing gear, wings, tips, antennas, or tires unless it affects structural integrity or flight performance.
Accident Criteria
- Fatal Injury: Death resulting from the event within 30 days.
- Serious Injury: Requires hospitalization over 48 hours, fractures, or severe burns.
- Substantial Damage: Structural failure or significant damage requiring major repair to the airframe.
Incident Criteria
- No Fatalities: No loss of life or serious injury involved.
- Minor Damage: Damage is limited or easily repairable.
- Safety Impact: The event affected or could have affected the safety of operations.
Reporting Requirements & Timelines
When an accident vs incident occurs, the pilot or operator must adhere to strict reporting timelines outlined in FAR Part 830. Failing to report an accident is a serious violation of federal regulations.
Immediate Notification (Accidents)
For an accident, the operator must notify the NTSB immediately. This usually means within 1 hour of learning about the event. Notification must be made to the nearest NTSB field office.
Immediate Notification (Incidents)
Certain serious incidents also require immediate notification (within 1 hour), such as in-flight fires, flight control system malfunctions, or incapacitation of flight crew members.
Incident Reporting Timeline
For incidents that do not require immediate phone notification, the operator must file a report within 10 days. This applies to less severe events that still meet the definition of an incident.
Filing NTSB Form 6120.1
The official report must be submitted on NTSB Form 6120.1. This form details the sequence of events, environmental conditions, and damage assessment. It serves as the primary record for the investigation.
Even if you are unsure if the event meets the "substantial damage" threshold, it is safer to report it. Consult the AIM glossary or call the FSDO for guidance if the distinction is unclear.
| Event Type | Notification Deadline | Reporting Authority | Form Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Accident | Within 1 hour | NTSB Field Office | Form 6120.1 |
| Serious Incident | Within 1 hour | NTSB Field Office | Form 6120.1 |
| Minor Incident | Within 10 days | NTSB via Form/Website | Form 6120.1 |
| No Damage/Injury | Not Required | None | None |
Classification and Examples
To master the accident vs incident distinction, reviewing real-world examples helps clarify the boundary between the two categories.
Definite Accident
- Gear-Up Landing: Collapse of the landing gear often causes substantial airframe damage.
- Mid-Air Collision: Structural compromise and high risk of fatal injury.
- Loss of Control: Resulting in terrain impact (CFIT) with hull loss.
Reportable Incident
- Engine Failure: In-flight shutdown or failure of a multi-engine aircraft without damage.
- Cabin Depressurization: Rapid descent required due to pressurization system failure.
- Incapacitation: A pilot becomes unable to perform duties mid-flight.
Not Reportable
- Propeller Strike: Minor damage limited to the propeller tip (if no structural damage).
- Bird Strike: No damage sustained or minor damage to nose cone.
- Hard Landing: Inspected and found to have no damage exceeding limits.
Do not judge the event solely by the visual appearance of the aircraft. An aircraft can look destroyed but only have bent skins (Incident), or look intact with hidden spar damage (Accident).
| Scenario | Outcome | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Landing gear collapses, belly skin wrinkled | Inspection shows structural bulkhead damage | Accident |
| Tire blows out on rollout | Wheel/Brake assembly replaced easily | Incident (or possibly not reportable) |
| Engine fire extinguished inflight | Fire contained, no damage to engine mount | Serious Incident |
| Bird strike breaks windshield | Pilot suffers cuts from glass | Accident (Serious Injury) |
Pilot Response Checklist
Your actions immediately following the event determine the safety of the scene and the quality of the data available for the investigation. This checklist covers the essential response protocols for both accidents and incidents.
Post-Event Response:
- Ensure safety of crew and passengers first
- Secure the aircraft and prevent further damage (fire/leaks)
- Preserve the scene: do not move debris unless necessary for safety
- Capture photos of the damage, position, and environment
- Collect names and contact info of all passengers and crew
- Calculate the total flight time remaining on the Hobbs meter
- Notify the NTSB immediately if injury or substantial damage is evident
- Refrain from discussing fault or cause with media or parties
If any person is injured, providing medical assistance and emergency services notification takes absolute priority over regulatory reporting steps.
FAQ
Q: How do I distinguish between a hard landing accident and an incident?
The determining factor is damage. A hard landing is an accident only if it results in substantial damage to the aircraft or serious injury to occupants. If the inspection reveals damage exceeding minor repair limits, it is classified as an accident.
Q: Who is responsible for reporting the accident vs incident?
The operator of the aircraft is legally responsible. In private flying, this is the pilot or registered owner. For airlines, the Director of Operations or designated safety officer handles the NTSB notification.
Q: Does a propeller strike always count as an accident?
Not necessarily. Under 49 CFR 830.2, damage to propellers, rotor blades, and gear boxes is excluded from the definition of substantial damage, provided it does not affect the control or structure of the aircraft. However, it often triggers a mandatory engine inspection.
Q: What if I am unsure whether the damage is 'substantial'?
Err on the side of caution. Do not make the determination yourself if the damage is borderline. Secure the aircraft and call your local FSDO or NTSB office for guidance. It is better to report an incident that is later reclassified than to fail to report an accident.