📘NTSB §830.2 – Definitions

🚩 Overview

NTSB §830.2 provides definitions critical for identifying and reporting aviation accidents, incidents, and related terms. Clear understanding of these terms ensures compliance with reporting responsibilities.

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✅ Key Defined Terms

🛩️ 1. Accident

An occurrence involving aircraft operations where:

• Serious injury or death occurs to any person, or

• The aircraft sustains substantial damage.

🚑 2. Serious Injury

An injury resulting in:

• Hospitalization for more than 48 hours (within 7 days of the injury).

• Bone fractures (excluding simple fractures like fingers or toes).

• Severe hemorrhages, nerve/muscle/tendon damage.

• Internal organ injuries.

• Second or third-degree burns affecting more than 5% of the body surface.

🛠️ 3. Substantial Damage

Damage adversely affecting structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics, typically requiring significant repair or replacement. It excludes:

• Engine failure or damage limited to engine accessories.

• Damage limited to landing gear, wheels, tires, brakes, wingtips, propeller blades.

• Dents or punctures in aircraft skin, fairings, or cowling that do not require major repair.

📌 4. Incident

An occurrence, other than an accident, associated with aircraft operation affecting or potentially affecting safety.

📄 5. Operator

Any person or entity who operates or authorizes the operation of an aircraft.

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🛩️ Example Scenario

While taxiing your aircraft, you accidentally strike a taxiway sign, causing damage to your landing gear that requires replacement. Since landing gear damage alone does not qualify as "substantial damage," this occurrence would be considered an incident rather than an accident.

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📌 CFI Pro Tips

• Clarify Reporting: Teach students the differences between accidents, incidents, and substantial damage clearly to ensure accurate and timely NTSB reporting.

• Understand Definitions: Emphasize these definitions early in flight training to build a strong foundation in regulatory knowledge and reporting requirements.

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📚 Further Reading and Official References

• NTSB §830.2 (Full Regulation): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/section-830.2

• NTSB Reporting Requirements and Accident/Incident Examples: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/process/Pages/default.aspx

• FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge – Accidents and Incidents: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak