7–6–2 Aircraft Accident and Incident Reporting
a. Occurrences Requiring Notification. The operator of an aircraft must immediately, and by the most expeditious means available, notify the nearest National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Field Office when:
1. An aircraft accident or any of the following listed incidents occur:
(a) Flight control system malfunction or failure.
(b) Inability of any required flight crew member to perform their normal flight duties as a result of injury or illness.
(c) Failure of structural components of a turbine engine excluding compressor and turbine blades and vanes.
(d) Inflight fire.
(e) Aircraft collide in flight.
(f) Damage to property, other than the aircraft, estimated to exceed $25,000 for repair (including materials and labor) or fair market value in the event of total loss, whichever is less.
(g) For large multi-engine aircraft (more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight):
(1) Inflight failure of electrical systems which requires the sustained use of an emergency bus powered by a back-up source such as a battery, auxiliary power unit, or air-driven generator to retain flight control or essential instruments;
(2) Inflight failure of hydraulic systems that results in sustained reliance on the sole remaining hydraulic or mechanical system for movement of flight control surfaces;
(3) Sustained loss of the power or thrust produced by two or more engines; and
(4) An evacuation of aircraft in which an emergency egress system is utilized.
2. An aircraft is overdue and is believed to have been involved in an accident.
b. Manner of Notification.
1. The most expeditious method of notification to the NTSB by the operator will be determined by the circumstances existing at that time. The NTSB has advised that any of the following would be considered examples of the type of notification that would be acceptable:
(a) Direct telephone notification.
(b) Telegraphic notification.
(c) Notification to the FAA who would in turn notify the NTSB by direct communication; i.e., dispatch or telephone.