UAS Safety Event, Accident, and Incident Reporting and Investigation
Imagine you just experienced a UAS mishap. After completing your immediate post-event actions and confirming the mishap is contained, you determine if it is reportable to the FAA and/or the NTSB as required by regulations. After the dust settles, you begin wondering – did you report it correctly? Will this affect your license? Will you be investigated?
Many UAS operators discover after a mishap or other safety event that while some reporting requirements are straightforward, it can quickly become confusing and difficult to know if all the requirements were met and if they were met timely and accurately. Being unsure if events were reported incorrectly and wondering if it will come back to haunt you or your organization has caused anxiety in many UAS operators.
Once you notify the FAA and or NTSB, the experience can be like riding a roller coaster - in the dark! Yes, you want to do the right thing but once you make the call to the FAA and / or NTSB, buckle up because you are going for a ride.
In most cases working, with the FAA and NTSB will be a positive experience. However, it is important to understand the nuance associated with each government agency. Each has different requirements and definitions for what operators need to report, how an event is classified, and how an investigation is processed.
It’s a good idea to establish procedures for mishap response and incident reporting before a safety event occurs -- and Anzen Unmanned can help you prepare ahead of time. We can also guide you through an investigation after an event occurs.
The table (below) shows a high-level guide to help determine what UAS occurrences are reportable to the FAA (under part 107) and/or NTSB. There may be additional reporting requirements depending on your specific operation.
| FAA (Part 107 Safety Event) | NTSB (Accident / Incident) | |
|---|---|---|
| Serious/Fatal Injury | Defined in 49 CFR Part 830.2, and loss of consciousness | Defined in 49 CFR Part 830.2 |
| Substantial Damage* | N/A for “Safety Event” | UA with airworthiness certificate |
| Damage Threshold | Exceeds $500, to property other than sUAS (Safety Event) | Damage over $25,000, to property other than the aircraft (Incident) |
| Time Period to Report | No later than 10 days | Immediately |
| Reportable Incident | N/A for “Safety Event”, unless required under operational approval, e.g. waiver/exemption/COA | 49 CFR Part 830.5** (Anzen recommends contacting the FAA when required to notify the NTSB of an incident) |
| Reporting Mechanism |
|
NTSB Ops Center
|
- *NOTE 1
- “Substantial Damage” means damage or failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics of the aircraft, and which would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component.
- **NOTE 2
- 49 CFR Part 830.5 lists situations requiring immediate notification to the NTSB which includes accidents, serious incidents (defined therein), and overdue aircraft is believed to be involved in an accident.
The team at Anzen Unmanned, based on extensive FAA and military experience, are uniquely qualified to help guide UAS operators through the reporting process and provide support and guidance when a mishap leads to a formal investigation. Anzen Unmanned has the unparalleled expertise required to identify hazards and develop mitigation strategies to prevent similar mishaps from occurring in the future.
Just as a disclaimer: Every event is unique; this blog post is intended to cover general information only. Contact Anzen Unmanned at www.anzenunmanned.com if you have questions or would like to discuss how we can help your organization.