Recording and Reporting

How is safety data recorded and reported? To help increases safety, it is beneficial to look further into the investigation of accidents and incidents (near accidents). The accident and its investigation remain the most conspicuous sourse of insight and information to accident prevention. Hazards are revealed and remedied. Safety recommendations are made and upheld. The use of aviation safety recording and reporting systems have been used to help increase safety overall. There are several different reporting and recording system and each have similarities yet uniqueness. All data is gathered by FAA, the research and special programs administration(RSPA), the NTSB, and NASA.

Two types of reporting

1. Mandatory Incident Reporting System- The rule is "if in doubt, report." System is used to report mandatory incident. They report mainly technical (hydraulic loss) and not human-factor incidents
2. Voluntary Incident Reporting System- Is Voluntary and all (pilot, ATC, etc) are invited to report any data that involve hazards, discrepancies, and deficiencies. Usually a third party is used to gather info secure confidentiality.

Key highlights of all reporting systems and databases

1. FAA Accident Incident Data System- Both FAA and NTSB collect data; however, the NTSB alone determine probable causes. The FAA is responsible for corrective action. This reported data contain incident data that do not meet the aircraft damage or human injury thresholds established by NTSB. The system is more accessible to FAA for personnel daily. FAA examines air traffic incident data only
2. Enforcement Information System- Used primarily for administrative purposes and keeps track of history of each Enforcement case. Only closed cases are available to public due to the sensitivity of data. Only system that allows input directly from field offices.
3. Service Difficulty Reporting System- Reports the mechanical reliability of aircraft and components. All reports are in paper form. This system is useful in detecting short-term safety problems. Sends out airworthiness directive, warning, or alert.
   
4. Air Operator Data System-Consolidates vital data from within the FAA. This is used by aviation standards personnel to gather info about air carriers and other operators and the stucture of fleets and facilities. This system provides the opportunity for analyzing certain air carrier operating practices industrywide.
5. Aviation Safety Analysis System-Provides information for airworthiness data, regulatory data, operational data, organizational information.
6. Associate Administrator for Air Traffic-Monitor every report on operational errors, mid near collisions, and pilot deviations
7. Near Midair Collisions System Database(NMACS)-Report incidents were possibility of collision could have occured less than 500 feet apart. Is voluntary.
8. Air Traffic Activity Database-Provides system wide traffic data. Data is encoded by Boeing Computer systems where it is processed and cross checked. Is not for analysis or storage but as preparing summary reports.
9. Aviation Safety Reporting System- Is administered by NASA and is voluntary but FAA funded
10. National Airspace Incident Monitoring System- An automated system containing near-midair collisions, operational error, and pilot deviation database.
    
11. Near-Midair Collision Database- Near midair collisions filed and investigated by FAA within 90 day.
    
12. Operational Error Database- Involves loss of legal flight separation attributted to the ATC system is in operational error. Reports are filed be ATC 48 hours after event.
13. Pilot Deviation Database- Reports pilot deviations to flight standard office from ATC
14. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics- Applies to airlines that operate with 30 or more seats. This unit analyzes data on the nation's transportations system.
15. NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System- Is voluntary and confidential and is funded by the FAA and administered by NASA, and maintained by Battelle Laboratories. This is a system where pilots, controllers, and others can submit accounts of safety-related aviation incidents.
16. NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting System- Has preliminary reports that are filed 5 working days and factual reports can take months. Computer Searches are possible. Accidents are categorized by the first occurrence in the sequence of events that led to the accident.
17. Air Carrier Statics Database- Provides a measures for exposure data such as departures, hours, and miles.
18. Automatic Recording System- Flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder are filed here
    
19. International Reporting System- International exchange of accident and incident data to all international participants
    
20. ICAO ADREP system- database of worldwide accident and incident information for large commercial aircraft.
21. OSHA recording and reporting-Requires all employer to report occupational deaths, injuries, and illnesses on Forms 300 and 301.
22. EPA Recording and Reporting- Receives reports hazardous substance spill or pollution to air, water, and soil