NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident ReportFORM APPROVED FOR USE THROUGH 03/31/2006 BY OMB NO. 3147-0001
NATIONAL fi . ., ON SAFETY BOARD
NTSB Form 6120.1
Pilot/operator accident/incident report may be filed by mailing in this
form or by entering information in the online reporting system on the NTSB
Web site at <http://vv vv.ntsb.gov>. Paper copies of this form may be
obtained from the Web site, the National Transportation Safety Board
Regional Offices, and the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards
District Offices.
Rules pertaining to aircraft accidents/incidents, overdue aircraft, and
safety issues are contained in Part 830 of the National Transportation
Safety Board's Regulations, 49CFR. These rules state the authority of the
Board, define accidents, incidents, injuries, and other terms, and provide
procedures for initial and immediate notification by aircraft pilots/operators.
A. APPLICABILITY
The pilottoperator of an aircraft shall file a report with the Regional
Office of the National Transportation Safety Board nearest the accident or
incident for which immediate notification is required by section 830.5(a)
The report shall be filed within ten (10) days after an accident for
which notification is required by Section 830.5 or when, after seven
(7) days, an overdue aircraft is still missing. An aircraft accident, as
defined in 49CFR 830.2, is determined as an occurrence that involves a
fatality, serious injury, or substantial damage. For occurrences that do not
involve a fatality, the determination that the occurrence is an accident can
be appealed by writing to the Director, Office of Aviation Safety, National
Transportation Safety Board, 490 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20594.
The Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accidentlincident Report Form is used in
determining the facts, conditions, and circumstances for aircraft accident
prevention activities and for statistical purposes. It is necessary that ALL
questions be answered completely and accurately to serve the above
purposes.
B. DEFINITIONS
1. "Aircraft Accident" means an occurrence associated with the
operation of an aircraft that takes place between the time any person
boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have
disembarked, and in which any person suffers death, or serious injury, or
in which the aircraft receives substantial damage.
2. "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: Engine failure or damage limited to an
engine if only one engine fails or is damaged, bent fairing or cowling,
dented skin, small puncture holes in the skin or fabric, ground damage to
rotor or propeller blades, and damage to landing gear, wheels, tires, flaps,
engine accessories, brakes, or wing tips are not considered "substantial
damage" for purposes of this report.
3. "Operator" means any person who causes or authorizes the
operation of an aircraft, such as the owner, lessee, or bailee of an aircraft.
4. "Fatal Injury" means any injury that results in death within thirty (30)
days of the accident.
5. "Serious Injury" means any injury that (1) requires hospitalization for
more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date the injury
was received; (2) results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fracture
of fingers, toes, or nose); (3) causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle,
or tendon damage; (4) involves injury to any internal organ; or (5) involves
second- or third-degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5 percent
of the body surface.
If more space is needed, continue on a blank sheet.
Nearest CitylPlace: Use the name of the nearest community that has a
Post Office in the state where the accident occurred.
Date & Time: Indicate the date and local time of the event. Be sure to
indicate the time zone.
Phase of Operation: Indicate the phase of operation during which the
accident/incident occurred.
Weather Information at the Accident4ricident Site. Indicate the weather
conditions reported at the accident/incident site at the time of occurrence.
If no weather reporting was available for the accident site, indicate the
reported conditions at the nearest reporting site. Specify the weather
reporting site identifier, the observation time, and distance from the
accident site.
SkylLowest Cloud Condition: Indicate the height above ground level of the
lowest cloud condition present at the time of the accident and whether
coverage was reported as few, scattered, broken or overcast. Also
indicate the height above ground level and coverage of the lowest cloud
ceiling present at the time of the accident (reported as broken or
overcast).
NOTAMs ((D), (L) and FDC), AiRMETs, SIGMETs, PiREPs. Describe all
NOTAMs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, PIREPs in effect near the
NTSB Form 6120.1(rev. 11/2005). This form replaces 6120.1/2.
accident/incident. For NOTAMs, state if they were distant (D), local (L), or
Flight Data Center (FDC), if known.
Aircraft Information: Enter aircraft make and model information as
indicated on the aircraft registration certificate, including series. If the
involved aircraft is certified as "amateur -built," include the name of
manufacturer of the kit or plans when appropriate. Enter engine make and
model information as indicated on the engine data plate.
Max Gross Weight. Enter the certificated max gross weight for the aircraft
involved in the occurrence. This should be the same as the maximum
gross weight indicated on the aircraft weight and balance documents.
Type of Fire Extinguishing System: If a fire extinguishing system was used
to fight an aircraft fire, specify the type(s) of extinguishing system(s) used.
Examples include handheld extinguisher, engine fire bottle,
cargo/baggage compartment fire suppression system, or airport
emergency ground equipment.
OwnerlOperator Information: Enter the owner information as shown on the
registration certificate. Commercial operators, enter the operator
information, including "Doing Business as" when applicable, as shown on
the operator certificate.
Public Use Flight. Federal, state or local government flight operations
such as official travel, law -enforcement, low-level observation, aerial
application, firefighting, search and rescue, biological or geological
resource management, or aeronautical research. Military operations
should not be included under public use. If public use, also indicate
whether the flight was conducted by Federal, State, or Local government.
Revenue Sightseeing Flight Indicate whether the accident aircraft was
conducting revenue sightseeing operations under FAR Part 91 at the time
of the accident.
Air Medical Flight. Indicate whether the accident flight was being
conducted for the purpose of carrying medical personnel, patient(s), or
organs.
Purpose of Flight (FAR 91, 103, 133, 137): Indicate the type of operation
that was being conducted at the time of the occurrence using the following
definitions:
Airport Information: Complete this section if the accident/incident occurred
on approach, takeoff, or within 3 miles of an airport. Please refer to the
FAA Airport/Facility Directory or other official source for airport
information.
Airport Identification. Provide the official 3 or 4 character airport identifier.
Runway. • Indicate the number of the runway used, including L, R, or C if
applicable.
Runway/Landing Surface: Indicate the type of intended runway/landing
surface (do not indicate surface conditions). If the surface type was mixed,
check all that apply.
Condition of Runway/Landing Surface. Indicate the condition of the
intended runway/landing surface. If multiple conditions existed at the time
of the accident, check all that apply.
Pilot informadon. Indicate the category that best describes the capacity
PERSONAL —Flying for personal reasons (excludes business served by this flight crew member at the time of the accident. The
transportation) including pleasure or personal transportation. This also designators "Pilot A" and "Pilot B" do not refer to a specific pilot position or
includes practice or proficiency flights performed under flight instructor responsibility. If more than one pilot is aboard, they may be entered in any
supervision and not part of an approved flight training program. order and their capacity entered as appropriate.
BUSINESS —Includes all personal flying without a paid, professional Degree of injury.• See Definitions on the top half of Page 1 of the
crew for reasons associated with furthering a business, including Instructions. Minor injury is not defined. If an injury does not meet the
transportation to and from business meetings or work. This does not criteria for another injury category, select Minor.
include corporate/executive operations, air taxi, or commuter
operations. Date of Last Flight Review or Equivalent Enter the date of the most recent
EXECUTIVEICORPORATE—Company flying with a paid, professional flight review, or equivalent, completed by this pilot. Refer to 14 CFR 61.56
crew for accepted equivalents.
OTHER WORK USE —Miscellaneous flight operations conducted for
compensation or hire such as construction work (not FAR Part 135
operation), parachuting, aerial advertising, towing gliders, etc.
INSTRUCTIONAL —Flying while under the supervision of a flight
instructor or receiving air carrier training. Personal proficiency flight
operations and personal flight reviews, as required by federal air
regulations, are excluded.
FERRY —Non -revenue flight under a special flight or "ferryy" permit.
Refer to 14 CFR 21.197 for details of special flight permit issuance.
POSITIONING —Non -revenue flight conducted for the primary purpose
of moving the aircraft to a maintenance facility or to load passengers or
cargo, etc.
AERIAL APPLICATION— Operations using an aircraft to perform aerial
application or dispersion of any substance. Examples include
agricultural, health, forestry, cloud seeding, firefighting, insect control,
etc.
AERIAL OBSERVATION —Aerial mapping/photography, patrol, search
and rescue, hunting, highway traffic advisory, ranching, surveillance,
oil and mineral exploration, criminal pursuit, fish spotting, etc.
AIR DROP —Aerial operations, other than aerial application, that are
intended to release items in flight.
AIR RACE/SHOW—Includes any flight operations conducted as part of
an organized air race or public demonstration.
FLIGHT TEST —Flight for the purpose of investigating the flight
characteristics of an aircraft/aircraft component, or evaluating an
applicant for a pilot certificate or rating.
UNKNOWN —Use only if the primary purpose of flight is not known.
Collision Accident For all accidents involving a collision with another
aircraft, including parked aircraft, check "Collision with other aircraft" under
Basic Information and complete this section indicating details about the
OTHER aircraft involved in the collision
2
Type Ratings. List all type ratings on the pilot certificate. If the pilot holds
no type ratings indicate "none". If the pilot holds a pilot certificate other
than student, and was flying an aircraft requiring an endorsement enter
the type and date of any logbook endorsement(s) for that aircraft. See 14
CFR 61 for examples of required endorsements.
Student Endorsements: If the pilot holds a student pilot certificate, enter all
solo endorsements and dates on the student pilot certificate
Flight Time. Complete the flight time matrix. Solo flight time should be
included as "Pilot -in -Command (PIC)" and all dual flight instruction given
should be included as " Time as Instructor".
Additional Flight Crew Members. Complete this section if there were more
than two required flight crew members on the aircraft. This also includes a
check airman performing official duties, but does not include cabin crew.
State the capacity served by each included crewmember at the time of the
accident.
Passenger(s)/Other Personnel. • Please enter identification and injury
severity information for all passengers and other personnel involved in the
accident. See page 1 of the instructions for the official definition of injury
levels. Occupants are considered "Revenue" passengers if they were
being carried for compensation or hire. The option "FAA" refers to any
FAA personnel performing a flight related function, including flight check,
airman practical test, etc.
Several questions throughout the form allow for multiple responses;
when appropriate choose all responses that apply.
These instructions only pertain to major issue areas covered by the
NTSB Form 6120.1 PilotfOperator Aircraft AccidentRncident Report.
For more specific definitions of questions and answers not included
above, please refer to <http://www.ntsb.gov>.
§830.2 49 CFR Ch. VIII (10-1-98 Edition)
(a) Initial notification and later re-
porting of aircraft incidents and acci-
dents and certain other occurrences in
the operation of aircraft, wherever
they occur, when they involve civil air-
craft of the United States; when they
involve certain public aircraft, as spec-
ified in this part, wherever they occur;
and when they involve foreign civil air-
craft where the events occur in the
United States, its territories, or its
possessions.
(b) Preservation of aircraft wreckage,
mail, cargo, and records involving all
civil and certain public aircraft acci-
dents, as specified in this part, in the
United States and its territories or
possessions.
[60 FR 40112, Aug. 7, 19951
§ 830.2 Definitions.
As used in this part the following
words or phrases are defined as follows:
Aircraft accident means an occurrence
associated with the operation of an air-
craft which takes place between the
time any person boards the aircraft
with the intention of flight and all
such persons have disembarked, and in
which any person suffers death or seri-
ous injury, or in which the aircraft re-
ceives substantial damage.
Civil aircraft means any aircraft other
than a public aircraft.
Fatal injury means any injury which
results in death within 30 days of the
accident.
Incident means- an occurrence 'other,
than an accident; associated with the
operation of an aircraft, which affects:
or could affect the safety of operations_
Operator means any person who
causes or authorizes the operation of
an aircraft, such as the owner, lessee,
or bailee of an aircraft.
Public aircraft means an aircraft used
only for the United States Govern-
ment, or an aircraft owned and oper-
ated (except for commercial purposes)
or exclusively leased for at least 90
continuous days by a government other
than the United States Government,
including a State, the District of Co-
lumbia, a territory or possession of the
United States, or a political subdivi-
sion of that government. "Public air-
craft" does not include a government -
owned aircraft transporting property
for commercial purposes and does not
include a government -owned aircraft
transporting passengers other than:
transporting (for other than commer-
cial purposes) crewmembers or other
persons aboard the aircraft whose pres-
ence is required to perform, or is asso-
ciated with the performance of, a gov-
ernmental function such as firefight-
ing, search and rescue, law enforce-
ment, aeronautical research, or bio-
logical or geological resource manage-
ment; or transporting (for other than
commercial purposes) persons aboard
the aircraft if the aircraft is operated
by the Armed Forces or an intelligence
agency of the United States. Notwith-
standing any limitation relating to use
of the aircraft for commercial pur-
poses, an aircraft shall be considered to
be a public aircraft without regard to
whether it is operated by a unit of gov-
ernment on behalf of another unit of
government pursuant to a cost reim-
bursement agreement, if the unit of
government on whose behalf the oper-
ation is conducted certifies to the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration that the operation was
necessary to respond to a significant
and imminent threat to life or property
(including natural resources) and that
no service by a private operator was
reasonably available to meet the
threat.
Serious injury means any injury
which: (1) Requires hospitalization for
more than 48 hours, commencing with-
in 7 days from the date of the injury
was received; (2) results in a fracture of
any bone (except simple fractures of
fingers, toes, or nose); (3) causes severe
hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon
damage; (4) involves any internal
organ; or (5) involves second- or third-
degree burns, or any burns affecting
more than 5 percent of the body sur-
face.
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 af-
fected component. Engine failure or
damage limited to an engine if only
one engine fails or is damaged, bent
fairings or cowling, dented skin, small
punctured holes in the skin or fabric,
ground damage to rotor or propeller
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National Transportation Safety Board
blades, and damage to landing gear,
wheels, tires, flaps, engine accessories,
brakes, or wingtips are not considered
"substantial damage" for the purpose
of this part.
[53 FR 36982, Sept. 23, 1988, as amended at 60
FR 40112, Aug. 7, 19951
§ 830.5 Immediate notification.
The operator of any civil aircraft, or
any public aircraft not operated by the
Armed Forces or an intelligence agen-
cy of the United States, or any foreign
aircraft shall immediately, and by the
most expeditious means available, no-
tify the nearest National Transpor-
tation Safety Board (Board) field of-
fice 1 when:
(a) An aircraft accident or any of the
following listed incidents occur:
(1) Flight control system malfunc-
tion or failure;
(2) Inability of any required flight
crewmember to perform normal flight
duties as a result of injury or illness;
(3) Failure of structural components
of a turbine engine excluding compres-
sor and turbine blades and vanes;
(4) In-flight fire; or
(5) Aircraft collide in flight.
(6) Damage to property, other than
the aircraft, estimated to exceed $25,000
for repair (including materials and
labor) or fair market value in the event
of total loss, whichever is less.
(7) For large multiengine aircraft
(more than 12,500 pounds maximum
certificated takeoff weight):
(1) In-flight failure of electrical sys-
tems which requires the sustained use
of an emergency bus powered by a
back-up source such as a battery, aux-
iliary power unit, or air -driven genera-
tor to retain flight control or essential
instruments;
I The Board field offices are listed under
U.S. Government in the telephone direc-
tories of the following cities: Anchorage, AK,
Atlanta, GA, West Chicago, IL, Denver, CO,
Arlington, TX, Gardena (Los Angeles), CA,
Miami, FL, Parsippany, NJ (metropolitan
New York, NY), Seattle, WA, and Washing-
ton, DC.
§ 830.10
(ii) In-flight failure of hydraulic sys-
tems that results in sustained reliance
on the sole remaining hydraulic or me-
chanical system for movement of flight
control surfaces;
(III) Sustained loss of the power or
thrust produced by two or more en-
gines; and
(iv) An evacuation of an aircraft in
which an emergency egress system is
utilized.
(b) An aircraft is overdue and is be-
lieved to have been involved in an acci-
dent.
[53 FR 36982, Sept. 23, 1988, as amended at 60
FR 40113, Aug. 7, 1995]
§ 830.6 Information to be given in noti-
fication.
The notification required in §830.5
shall contain the following informa-
tion, if available:
(a) Type, nationality, and registra-
tion marks of the aircraft;
(b) Name of owner, and operator of
the aircraft;
(c) Name of the pilot -in -command;
(d) Date and time of the accident;
(e) Last point of departure and point
of intended landing of the aircraft;
(f) Position of the aircraft with ref-
erence to some easily defined geo-
graphical point;
(g) Number of persons aboard, num-
ber killed, and number seriously in-
jured;
(h) Nature of the accident, the weath-
er and the extent of damage to the air-
craft, so far as is known; and
(i) A description of any explosives,
radioactive materials, or other dan-
gerous articles carried.
Subpart C—Preservation of Air-
craft Wreckage, Mail, Cargo,
and Records
§830.10 Preservation of aircraft
wreckage, mail, cargo, and records.
(a) The operator of an aircraft in-
volved in an accident or incident for
which notification must be given is re-
sponsible for preserving to the extent
possible any aircraft wreckage, cargo,
and mail aboard the aircraft, and all
records, including all recording medi-
ums of flight, maintenance, and voice
recorders, pertaining to the operation
and maintenance of the aircraft and to
1101
§ 830.15
the airmen until the Board takes cus-
tody thereof or a release is granted
pursuant to §831.12(b) of this chapter.
(b) Prior to the time the Board or its
authorized representative takes cus-
tody of aircraft wreckage, mail, or
cargo, such wreckage, mail, or cargo
may not be disturbed or moved except
to the extent necessary:
(1) To remove persons injured or
trapped;
(2) To protect the wreckage from fur-
ther damage; or
(3) To protect the public from injury.
(c) Where it is necessary to move air-
craft wreckage, mail or cargo,
sketches, descriptive notes, and photo-
graphs shall be made, if possible, of the
original positions and condition of the
wreckage and any significant impact
marks.
(d) The operator of an aircraft in-
volved in an accident or incident shall
retain all records, reports, internal
documents, and memoranda dealing
with the accident or incident, until au-
thorized by the Board to the contrary.
Subpart D—Reporting of Aircraft
Accidents, Incidents,d
Overdue Aircraft
§ 830.15 Reports and statements to be
filed.
(a) Reports. The operator of a civil,
public (as specified in §830.5), or foreign
aircraft shall file a report on Board
Form 6120.1h (OMB No. 3147-0001) Z with-
in 10 days after an accident, or after 7
days if an overdue aircraft is still miss-
ing. A report on an incident for which
immediate notification is required by
§830.5(a) shall be filed only as requested
by an authorized representative of the
Board.
(b) Crewmember statement. Each crew -
member, if physically able at the time
the report is submitted, shall attach a
statement setting forth the facts, con-
ditions, and circumstances relating to
the accident or incident as they appear
to him. If the crewmember is incapaci-
2Forms are available from the Board field
offices (see footnote 1), from Board head-
quarters in Washington, DC, and from the
Federal Aviation Administration Flight
Standards District Offices.
49 CFR Ch. VIII (10-1-98 Edition)
tated, he shall submit the statement as
soon as he is physically able.
(c) Where to file the reports. The opera-
tor of an aircraft shall file any report
with the field office of the Board near-
est the accident or incident.
[53 FR 36982, Sept. 23, 1988, as amended at 60
FR 40113, Aug. 7, 19951
Sec.
831.1 Applicability of part.
831.2 Responsibility of Board.
831.3 Authority of Directors.
831.4 Nature of investigation.
831.5 Priority of Board investigations.
831.6 Request to withhold information.
831.7 Right to representation.
831.8 Investigator -in -charge.
831.9 Authority of Board representatives.
831.10 Autopsies.
831.11 Parties to the investigation.
831.12 Access to and release of wreckage,
records, mail, and cargo.
831.13 Flow and dissemination of accident
or incident information.
831.14 Proposed findings.
AUTHORITY: Independent Safety Board Act
of 1974, as amended (49 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.);
Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended (49
U.S.C. 40101 et seq.).
SOURCE: 53 FR 15847, May 4, 1988, unless
otherwise noted.
§ 831.1 Applicability of part.
Unless otherwise specifically ordered
by the National Transportation Safety
Board (Board), the provisions of this
part shall govern all accident or inci-
dent investigations, conducted under
the authority of title VII of the Fed-
eral Aviation Act of 1958, as amended,
and the Independent Safety Board Act
of 1974. Rules applicable to accident
hearings and reports are set forth in
part 845.
§ 831.2 Responsibility of Board.
(a) Aviation. (1) The Board is respon-
sible for the organization, conduct, and
control of all accident and incident in-
vestigations (see §830.2 of this chapter)
within the Untied States, its terri-
tories and possessions, where the acci-
dent or incident involves any civil air-
craft or certain public aircraft (as spec-
ified in §830.5 of this chapter), includ-
ing an investigation involving civil or
1102