What is considered a reportable event in flight operations?

A reportable event in flight operations is defined as any serious incident affecting safety. This emphasizes the critical nature of safety in aviation operations and underlines the importance of documenting and addressing any significant issues that could compromise the well-being of passengers, crew, or the aircraft itself. Serious incidents may include accidents, near-misses, or any events that could pose a risk to flight safety, and reporting these ensures that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent future occurrences.

The focus on safety as the key criterion for reportable events highlights the industry’s commitment to maintaining high operational standards and accountability. Minor incidents or deviations, while they may still require attention, do not always carry the same weight in terms of safety implications and may not be reportable unless they escalate into a more serious event. Pre-flight delays, while operationally significant, do not typically affect safety directly in the same way that incidents do, and therefore are not categorized as reportable events.