A Bad Day at the Airfield

What do we do when we have a bad day at the Airfield?!

The chances of any of us getting involved in an accident or an incident with our aircraft or a rented aircraft are quite slim; but what do we do if it happens?

There are FAR regulations to follow, and these rules also have a time limit to be aware of, for notification of the authorities; so let’s take a look at the details.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the investigating branch of the US Government. The NTSB is responsible for the investigation of all aircraft incidents and accidents in the U.S. The NTSB board also is the only authority to determine the probable cause for accidents. They use NTSB form 6120.1, to gather and report the facts in any incident/accident.

Definition of an ACCIDENT: under 49 CFR 830, NTSB is: An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and until all persons have disembarked, or in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage. Definition of an INCIDENT: an occurrence other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft, which affects or could affect the safety of operations. Occurrences requiring notification can be found in the Aeronautical  Information Manual (AIM): chapter 7, section 6, Safety, Accident, and Hazard Reports  (7-6-1 & 2).

Notification to the NTSB: Initial notification must be made immediately; but the form must be filed within 10 days after an accident on NTSB form 6120.1. 

When the FAA files a report of an aircraft incident or accident, they use form 8020-23. If you notify the FAA immediately after the occurrence they will notify the NTSB. The pilot in command is responsible for this notification and should follow up to make sure the FAA has notified the NTSB. The FAA does not make a determination of the probable cause or make recommendations to the NTSB, they just report the facts.  You would then notify your insurance company and let them handle the rest of the legalities.

Heck, the form is 11 pages in length, it would take all day to fill it out, best to not get into an accident!

Within aviation it is said “there is no such thing as an accident, there are always causes”. This I believe is a true statement, however I do think that there can be situations of pure accidents, where no person is ultimately responsible. Just ask Captain Sullenberger, “why those geese just flew right into the engines” so “we landed in the river”. This is one of a very few accidents or crashes that was truly an accident. Captain Sully his crew and passengers were very lucky as it appears, their flight experienced both the worst and best of luck at the same time. More on this accident later.

Fly safely and I hope no one reading this newsletter ever has to fill out that long report.

Until next time,

Captain Will Rondeau

References:

NTSB.gov, (Form 6120.1). 

FAA.gov (Form 8020-23). 

NTSB.gov Report DCA09MA026.