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ACCIDENT
Broadly stated the definition of an aircraft accident is: ‘Anoccurrence
associatedwith the operation of an aircraft inwhich:
• any person suffers death or serious injury
• the aircraft incurs substantial damage or structural failure; or
• the aircraft ismissing or inaccessible.’
(
TransportSafety InvestigationAct2003
).
INCIDENT
Anoccurrence, other than an accident, associatedwith theoperationof an
aircraft that affects or could affect the safety of the operationof the aircraft
(Part 2A [S.19AC] of theAir NavigationAct 1920). Inpractice, this definition
is broadly interpreted and the incident reporting system accepts any reports,
requests, complaints and suggestionswhich relate to aviation safety.
notificationofACCIDENTS
Thepilot in command, the owner, theoperator and thehirer (if any) are
each responsible for ensuring the quick notificationof an accident toATSB
is furnished by the quickestmeans available. A further requirement is that a
written report, preferably using theAir Safety Incident Report (ASIR) format,
be submitted toATSB as soon as practicable after the accident. Theminimum
information required in the report includes:
• aircraftmake,model and registration;
• names of the owner andoperator;
• full name of the pilot in command;
• date and time of the accident;
• last point of departure, point of intended landing and natureof the flight;
• location of the accident;
• number of persons on board andnumbers and names of the injured;
• nature and cause of the accident, as far as it is known;
• description of damage to the aircraft; and
• description of the terrain at the accident site in terms of accessibility.
accidents and incidents
1 — P I LOT RESPONS I B I L I T I ES