Accident, serious incident or incident?
Free lesson · Air Regulations · DGCA CPL and ATPL
Something has gone wrong. Follow what happens next, then classify the occurrence yourself.
What happens after an accident or incident?
The big picture
Four questions the rules answer. Tap a box with + to open it.
- Accident and incident Annex 13, AAIB Rules 2017 How occurrences are classified, who must be told and how fast, who investigates, and how the evidence is protected. The aim is to stop the same thing happening again.
- What kind of event? four occurrence types An occurrence is an accident, serious incident, significant incident or incident. Air traffic incidents are serious occurrences linked to air traffic services.
- Accident Fatal or serious injury, significant damage, or aircraft missing.
- Serious incident Circumstances showing a high probability of an accident.
- Significant incident Something that would have become an accident or serious incident if the risk had not been kept within safe limits.
- Incident Any other occurrence affecting the safety of operation.
- Air traffic incident AIRPROX or serious difficulty A serious occurrence related to air traffic services: an aircraft proximity (AIRPROX), or a serious difficulty that causes a hazard to aircraft.
- AIRPROX aircraft proximity Aircraft proximity: one of the two kinds of air traffic incident.
- Serious difficulty procedures or ground facilities Wrong procedures, procedures not followed, or ground facilities that failed.
- Report form within 24 h of landing Fill in the Air Traffic Incident Report Form and send it the fastest way to DGCA, with a copy to AAI, as soon as you can after landing and within 24 hours.
- Who tells whom? within 24 hours The PIC, or someone acting for them, notifies AAIB and DGCA within 24 hours of becoming aware; in India also the District Magistrate and police.
- The PIC or owner/operator if PIC cannot If the PIC is killed or incapacitated, the owner, operator, hirer or relevant person notifies.
- To AAIB and DGCA quickest means Tell the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and DGCA, by the fastest way you have.
- In India: DM and police District Magistrate and police The District Magistrate, and whoever is in charge of the closest police station.
- Who investigates? DG, AAIB DG, AAIB investigates accidents and incidents in India. Other States may take part and appoint representatives.
- Every accident in India whatever the registration DG, AAIB investigates every accident or incident in Indian territory, whatever the aircraft's registration.
- Investigator-in-Charge unhampered access To wreckage, flight recorders and ATS records, with control for detailed examination without delay.
- Other States take part Registry, Operator, Design, Manuf. States of Registry, Operator, Design and Manufacture.
- Over 100 000 kg Design, Manufacture name a rep The States of Design and Manufacture must name their representative.
- Protecting the evidence default: do not move By default the aircraft and its contents stay untouched unless DG, AAIB authorises otherwise, with a few exceptions for rescue, safety and supervised removal.
- Nothing moved without DG, AAIB Only a person under the authority of DG, AAIB may remove or interfere with the aircraft and its contents.
- Limited exceptions rescue, fire, water, goods, luggage Rescue of people or animals, preventing fire or obstruction, moving a wreck on water to safety, and supervised removal of goods, luggage and mail.
- CVR and image recordings not for proceedings against people Not for disciplinary, civil, administrative or criminal proceedings against employees, operational personnel or organisations.
- What kind of event? four occurrence types An occurrence is an accident, serious incident, significant incident or incident. Air traffic incidents are serious occurrences linked to air traffic services.
Takeaway: Classify the event, notify within 24 hours, let DG, AAIB investigate, and protect the wreckage and recordings.
Can you classify the occurrence?
Classify it
Work down the tests in order. The first yes decides.
- Was anyone fatally or seriously injured?
- Was there damage affecting strength or flight characteristics?
- Is the aircraft missing or completely inaccessible?
- Was there a high probability of an accident?
- Would it have been an accident if the risk had not been kept under control?
- Accident
- Serious incident
- Significant incident
- Incident
Takeaway: Injury, damage or a missing aircraft makes it an accident; otherwise ask how close it came.