March 2, 2005 NTSB Redefines "Accident"...

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By Russ Niles, Newswriter, Editor

New "Incidents" Soon To Be Reportable, Too

Look for the "accident" rate to increase in coming years -- and you can blame it on the NTSB. The body charged with trying to keep us out of trouble has come up with some new definitions for the term "accident," and it could cause a spike in the stats. Last December, the NTSB issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) designed to ensure the agency was included in any information exchange regarding potentially dangerous circumstances that have safe and happy outcomes. In essence, if the NPRM is adopted as a final rule (the comment period is open until March 11) certain events must now be reported as "accidents" and other events are newly reportable as "incidents." In the NPRM, the NTSB says it needs to be in the loop when these events occur so it can investigate and provide safety recommendations. "This amendment is intended to enhance aviation safety by providing the NTSB direct notification of these events so that we can investigate and take corrective actions in a timely manner," the agency states.