Section 6, Chapter 3 - Aircraft Accident, Incident, & AIRPROX Reports Flashcards
What are the definitions and types of incidents that require report action according to UK Reg (EU) No. 376/2014?
- Aircraft Accident: Substantial damage to an aircraft, or causes death, serious injury, or property damage.
- Reportable Accident: An occurrence during aircraft operation causing fatal or serious injury, or significant damage requiring major repair.
- Serious Incident: Circumstances indicating that an accident nearly occurred.
- AIRPROX: Situation where the distance between aircraft and their relative positions and speeds compromise safety.
- Incident Involving Safety: Endangered or potentially endangered aircraft, occupants, or others.
- Wildlife or Birdstrike: Aircraft contacts one or more birds or other wildlife.
- Incident On-board an Aircraft in Flight: Necessary restraint of a person by the aircraft commander under the Tokyo Convention Act 1967.
- Hijacking: Unlawful seizure or control of an aircraft by force or threats.
- Unlawful Use of Aircraft: Movement or flight by an unauthorized person or for illegal purposes.
- Aircraft Ground Incident: Emergency situation on the ground requiring emergency services.
- Unintentional Use of Unpaved Areas: Aircraft of 2300 kg or more touches down short, overruns, or leaves paved surfaces.
- Aircraft Radio Equipment Fault: Fault in the aircraft’s radio equipment.
- Radio Frequency Interference: Unwanted signals or atmospherics interrupt ATC RTF frequencies.
- Ground Fault Report: Aircrew report of a telecommunications facility not operating correctly.
What is the reporting action required for different incidents at aerodromes and ACCs?
- Dependence on Circumstances: Reporting action varies based on the incident’s specifics.
- Multiple Circumstances: If an incident involves more than one circumstance, apply all relevant actions (e.g., an accident near an aerodrome is reportable to both the ACC and the Aerodrome Operator).
- Immediate Action: Telephone the ACC and the Aerodrome Operator.
- Subsequent Action: Submit written reports from all concerned parties to SDD.
- Additional Reporting: May be specified in MATS Part 2 or local unit instructions.
- Local Titles: If local job titles differ from those in the tables, refer to MATS Part 2 or local unit instructions for the correct reporting action.
What are the reporting actions required at aerodromes for various types of incidents?
Aircraft Accident in the Vicinity of the Aerodrome:
* Telephone: AAIB, ACC Watch Manager
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Reportable Accident:
* Telephone: Aerodrome Operator, ACC can assist
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
* Involving Approach, Navigation, or
Communication Facilities:
* Telephone: DEO at the aerodrome
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Unintentional Use of Unpaved Areas:
* Telephone: Aerodrome Operator
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
AIRPROX Report:
* Telephone: ACC Watch Manager, Aircraft Operators, Other ATSUs involved
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
AIRPROX Report Involving SUA:
* Telephone: Civil Police (for location), ACC Ops Supervisor, Aircraft Operator, Other ATSUs as necessary
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Serious Incident:
* Telephone: AAIB, ACC Watch Manager, Aerodrome Operator
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
MAYDAY and PAN Messages:
* Telephone: ACC Watch Manager, Aerodrome Operator
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Air Traffic Services May Be Subject to Criticism:
* Telephone: ACC Watch Manager, Head of ATSU
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Likely to Give Rise to Public Interest:
* Telephone: ACC Watch Manager, Head of ATSU
Hijacking and Unlawful Use of Aircraft:
* Telephone: ACC Watch Manager, Aerodrome Operator (according to local unit instructions)
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Bomb Warning Involving an Aircraft:
* Telephone: Aircraft Operators, ACC Watch Manager, Next ATSU concerned with flight (if airborne)
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Incident On-board an Aircraft in Flight (intends to land):
* Telephone: Aerodrome Operator, Aircraft Operators
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR, submit CA939 to Investigation and Enforcement Team
Aircraft Radio Equipment Fault:
* Telephone: DEO
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Ground Fault Report (Telecommunications Service):
* Telephone: DEO at aerodrome
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Radio Frequency Interference Report:
* Telephone: DEO
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR
Alleged Infringement of Legislation:
* Subsequent Action: Submit an MOR, submit CA939 to Investigation and Enforcement Team
Note: Refer to the directory in Appendix H for telephone numbers and locations.
What information should be provided when making a telephone report for an accident?
- Type, nationality, and registration of the aircraft
- Owner or operator
- Date and time of the accident
- Nature of the flight
- Location of the accident site
- Number of crew and passengers
- Casualties
- Circumstances of the accident
- Lighting facilities, navigational and/or landing aids in use, and any known unserviceabilities
What constitutes a serious incident in aviation, and what are the reporting requirements and examples of such incidents?
A serious incident involves circumstances indicating that an accident nearly occurred (as defined in UK Reg (EU) No. 996/2010). Reporting aims to provide early awareness to the AAIB. Examples include:
- Near collisions requiring avoidance maneuvers.
- Controlled flight into terrain marginally avoided.
- Aborted take-offs on closed or occupied runways.
- Take-offs from closed or occupied runways with marginal clearance.
- Landings or attempted landings on closed or occupied runways.
- Gross performance failures during take-off or initial climb.
- Fires and smoke in the passenger or cargo compartments, or engine fires.
- Emergency use of oxygen by the flight crew.
- Aircraft structural failures or engine disintegrations not classified as accidents.
- Flight crew incapacitation in flight.
- Fuel emergencies declared by the pilot.
- Take-off or landing incidents like under-shooting, over-running, or running off runways.
- System failures, weather phenomena, or operations outside the flight envelope affecting control.
- Failure of multiple mandatory flight guidance and navigation systems.
Reporting must begin as soon as practicable and no later than 72 hours after the occurrence. If ATC is not informed, the flight crew must ensure reporting. For AIRPROX incidents, normal systems will report to AAIB without separate procedures.
What information should be provided when reporting a serious incident via telephone in aviation?
When reporting a serious incident via telephone, provide the following information if available:
- Type, nationality, and registration of the aircraft.
- Owner or operator.
- Date and time of the serious incident.
- Nature of the flight.
- Location where the serious incident took place.
- Number of crew and passengers.
- Casualties.
- Circumstances of the serious incident.
- Lighting facilities, navigation, and/or landing aids in use and any known unserviceabilities.
What is the process for handling and reporting AIRPROX incidents in aviation?
AIRPROX reports are managed by the UK AIRPROX Board (UKAB). The process involves:
Processing and Investigation:
* ATSI reviews all AIRPROX reports and may conduct a full investigation to assess ATC involvement. The final report is forwarded to UKAB.
Reporting Requirements:
* The originating ATSU’s report must clearly state “AIRPROX” and include as much information as possible. SDD forwards the report to UKAB.
Pilot Reporting:
* Pilots can file an AIRPROX report via RTF, or after landing by telephone or in person. After a pilot declares intent to file an AIRPROX, controllers must complete their incident report to enable prompt recovery of relevant data.
Forwarding Reports:
* Completed AIRPROX reports from pilots (including signals from foreign ACCs) received at an ATC unit must be sent to the UKAB without delay.
Controller Reporting:
* Controllers filing an AIRPROX must submit an MOR, clearly indicating the AIRPROX status. Involved pilots should be informed promptly by the controller or unit management.
What steps are taken for search action at ACCs when tracing a reported unidentified aircraft, especially in the context of AIRPROX incidents?
The following actions are taken at ACCs to trace a reported unidentified aircraft:
Military Aircraft:
- If the unidentified aircraft is suspected to be military or not positively identified as civil, contact LACC (Mil) Radar Analysis Cell (RAC) and request a search.
Civil Aircraft:
- If the search for a civil aircraft (especially light aircraft outside controlled airspace) is unsuccessful, contact LACC (Mil) RAC for assistance and ask if any military unit has knowledge of the reported civil aircraft.
Confirmation of Requests:
- Include LACC (Mil) RAC in the list of addresses of the signal to confirm the request.
Final Signal Action:
- When trace action is taken entirely by LACC (Mil) RAC, final signal action will be handled by LACC (Mil) RAC.
Military Reporting AIRPROX:
- If a military aircraft not in communication with a civil ATC unit reports an AIRPROX with a civil aircraft, LACC (Mil) RAC will request the ACC to trace the reported aircraft.
Responsibility:
- LACC (Mil) RAC is responsible for all trace action at the London AC, LTCC, and Prestwick AC.
What are the requirements and guidelines for Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MOR) in aviation?
Guidance:
- Information and guidance on the MOR scheme is available on the CAA website.
Reporting Requirement:
- Air Traffic Controller’s licence or Flight Information Service Officer’s licence holders must report any occurrence within 72 hours that has, or if not corrected would have, endangered an aircraft, its occupants, or any other person.
Judgement:
- Licence holders must use their judgement to determine reportable occurrences. UK Reg (EU) 2015/1018 contains detailed guidelines.
Immediate Notification:
- Licence holders should inform operators and other ATS units involved as soon as practicable to avoid delays in other reports.
Telecommunications Involvement:
- If telecommunications services and facilities are involved, the systems controller or DEO should be advised immediately.
Inclusivity:
- All occurrences must be reported regardless of the category or nationality of the aircraft.
What is the procedure for filing a Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR) and what are the confidentiality and alternative reporting options?
Filing Procedure:
- All ATC initiated MORs must be filed as detailed in paragraph 1.7 (Chapter 1 of Section 6).
Confidentiality:
- Occurrence Reports are treated confidentially to ensure full and free reporting from the aviation community and to protect the identity of the individual in accordance with EU legislation.
Legislation Breach:
- If a controller believes the incident may involve a breach of legislation, they should consult local management. If CA939 action is deemed appropriate, a completed CA939 form should be sent to the Investigation and Enforcement Team (IET) along with the MOR indicating the CA939 action request.
Alternative Reports:
- If a situation is not appropriate for a mandatory report but involves an allegation affecting safety, a Voluntary Occurrence Report (VOR) or a Whistleblower report may be filed. Details of the whistleblowing process can be found on the CAA website via the MOR scheme page: CAA Whistleblowing Report
What should be included in a report to ATC if an aircraft commander needs to restrain a person on board an aircraft in flight, and what should controllers do afterward?
If the commander of an aircraft restrains a person on board, the report to ATC should include:
- The nationality and registration marks of the aircraft.
- The commander’s name.
- The name and nationality of the restrained person and details of their journey.
- A description of the incident and the position of the aircraft at the time.
- The names of up to three witnesses.
- The ETA at the aerodrome of intended landing.
Controllers should then submit a Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR).
How should a complaint about matter allegedly dropped by an aircraft be handled?
A complaint about matter allegedly dropped by an aircraft should be treated as a safety incident. The procedure includes:
Identification Efforts:
* Make all reasonable efforts as soon as possible to identify any aircraft that might have been responsible.
* Enlist the aid of the Watch Manager at the ACC if necessary.
* Consider the possibility that military aircraft, which are often beyond civil control or means of identification, may have been responsible.
Communication:
* Controllers must not express opinions about the likely source of the falling matter to the person reporting the incident.
