Every pilot’s worst fear: an accident or incident. NTSB 830 covers the requirements of a pilot in the event of an incident or accident.  Hopefully one will never have to utilize the requirement of NTSB 830, but it is necessary to memorize what is required. The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) is given the responsibility of investigating accidents in all transportation means around the United States. They have sub-offices for highway safety, maritime safety, railroad safety, and aviation safety. The sole purpose of the NTSB is find cause of accident and if necessary make suggestions to the governing body (in our case the FAA) of potential changes to increase safety (It is up to the governing body to implement these changes, they are not required).

NTSB 830 is the set of rules, requirements, and definitions for accident or incident reporting. The first part of NTSB 830 starts with important definitions that will be used later. The ones that are most important to civil pilots as ourselves is as follows. We have underlined or bolded the important information for you:

Aircraft Accident: means 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 all such persons have disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage.
Fatal Injury: means any injury which results in a 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.
Serious Injury: means any injury which:

1. Requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date of the injury.
2. Results in a fracture of any bone (except for simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose).
3. Causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon damage.
4. Involves any internal organ
5. Involves second or third degree burns, or any burn affecting more than 5 percent of the body surface (Our Note: 5% of body surface is about the size of an adult male’s palm)

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. 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 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.

Under NTSB 830 Subpart B we can find what needs to be reported immediately. The following list requires “…by the most expeditious means available, notify the nearest National Transportation Safety Board field office…:
-An aircraft accident or any of the following listed incidents occur:

1. Flight control system malfunction 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 compressor and turbine blades and vanes.
4. In-flight fire.
5. Aircraft collide in flight.
6. Damage to property, other than the aircraft, estimated to exceed $25,000 for repair (including materials & labor) or fair market value in the event of total loss, whichever is less.
7. (Deals with large multiengine aircraft over 12,500 lbs)

-An aircraft is overdue and is believed to have been involved in an accident.

Subpart C deals with the preservation of aircraft wreckage, mail, cargo, or records. The most important excerpt is stated as such:
“Prior to the time the Board (NSTB) or its authorized representative takes custody 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 person injured or trapped.
2. To protect the wreckage from further damage.
3. To protect the public from injury.

Where it is necessary to move aircraft wreckage, mail, or cargo, sketches or descriptive notes or photographs shall be made, if possible, of the original positions and condition of the wreckage and any significant impact marks.”

NTSB 830, Subpart D deals with the reporting requirements. It states as follows:

1. Reports: The operator of a civil, public (as specified in 830.5) or foreign aircraft shall file a report on Board Form 6120.1/2 within 10 days after an accident, or after 7 days if an aircraft is overdue and still missing. A report of an incident for which immediate notification is required by 830.5(a) shall be filed as requested by an authorized representative of the Board.
2. Crewmember statement: Each crewmember, if physically able at the time the report is submitted, shall attach a statement setting forth the facts, conditions, and circumstances relating to the accident or incident as they appear to him. If the crewmember is incapacitated, he shall submit the statement as soon as he is physically able.
3. Where to file reports: The operator of an aircraft shall file any report with the field office of the Board nearest the accident or incident.

FAR/AIM 2010: Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM series)

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Summary:

• An immediate notification must be sent to the nearest NTSB field office in the event of an aircraft accident or incident listed under NTSB 830 Subpart B (830.5).
• An immediate notification must be sent to the nearest NTSB field office in the event an aircraft is overdue and believed to be involved in an accident.
• An aircraft that is 7 days overdue and still missing must file a report with the nearest NTSB field office.
• A report must be filed 10 days after an aircraft accident (Immediate notification still required.

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Resources: Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual is a must have for any pilot. Considered the bible to any pilot, the FAR/AIM contains all the pertinent information on Federal Aviation Regulations. The Aeronautical Information Manual provides a pilot with updated procedures and information/illustrations on the most up to date technology. Click on the book below to find out more.