Safety Data Systems

~~~~~Aircraft Accident~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Aircraft Incident~~~~~

Aviation safety mishaps can be divided into two general categories known as incidents, and accidents. Those that could be put into the incident category are best explained as those that reveal a hazard without the occurrence of a terminal event. These would include but not be limited to the failure of a flight critical piece of equipment or a runway incursion in which no person involved was killed, severely injured, or substantial damage was not done to the aircraft itself. Accidents are categorized as having someone die, someone being severely injured, and/or having substantial damage done to the aircraft. Although there are, more guidelines used in order to classify such occurrences; those listed above give a general guideline as to how such events are categorized. After deeming an occurrence as an incident or accident, various reporting systems are utilized. There are two general types of reporting classifications; mandatory and voluntary. Mandatory reporting concentrates on the pertinent information involved that took place within the event, answering such questions as who and what. Voluntary reporting is done through third parties so that pertinent information that may have been omitted because the fear of the consequences in releasing self-incriminating information. The information collected from the various reports are then collected in various databases and are maintained by four main entities, the NTSB, FAA, NASA, and the Research and Special Programs Administration. The various databases provide a means to categorize all occurrences in a proper and meaningful manner that in turn gives insight into recurring problems that may later lead to much needed solutions. The FAA reporting systems are broken into three portions that handle 280 different databases; the Associate Administrator for Aviation Standards, the Associate Administrator for Air Traffic, and the Office of Aviation Safety. The NTSB utilizes information given within reports and gives suggestions as to how and what should be done in response to the event. NASA provides somewhat of a “get out of jail free” card when utilizing their Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). This is available to use one time to report violations on one’s self without fear of getting in trouble and possibly losing qualifications or acquiring fines.