It doesn’t matter how good your flying skills are, or how many certificates you hold, but accidents do happen, and it’s a legal requirement that certain incidents (known as ‘occurrences’) are reported.
This isn’t the case when your model just gets dumped in the field (a LAM chop), but it is the case when serious incidents occur that endanger life or damage property. In these circumstances, members are required to report such ‘occurrences’ to the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the CAA, and this is done very simply by using the BMFA Members Reporting Portal.
Occurrence reporting is not to attribute blame or liability. There are no fines, no one has their models taken away, and no one has to stand in the corner, but, joking apart, reporting is there to learn from these occurrences and to improve model aviation safety.
Clubs and their members who have a good air safety culture will report effectively and consistently. Every occurrence report is an opportunity to identify root causes and prevent them contributing to accidents where people are harmed.
Such occurrences must first be reported to the club Secretary, who will advise if your ‘occurrence’ is reportable and, if it is, we can help you with its submission.
For full details go to: Mandatory Occurance Reporting.
