Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

AIM

4/3/14

7−6−3

Safety, Accident, and Hazard Reports

ATC will not interpret a casual remark to mean that

a NMAC is being reported. The pilot should state “I

wish to report a near midair collision.”

d. Where to File Reports.

Pilots and/or flight

crew members involved in NMAC occurrences are

urged to report each incident immediately:

By radio or telephone to the nearest FAA ATC

facility or FSS.

In writing, in lieu of the above, to the nearest

Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

e. Items to be Reported.

Date and time (UTC) of incident.

Location of incident and altitude.

Identification and type of reporting aircraft,

aircrew destination, name and home base of pilot.

Identification and type of other aircraft,

aircrew destination, name and home base of pilot.

Type of flight plans; station altimeter setting

used.

Detailed weather conditions at altitude or

flight level.

Approximate courses of both aircraft:

indicate if one or both aircraft were climbing or

descending.

Reported separation in distance at first

sighting, proximity at closest point horizontally and

vertically, and length of time in sight prior to evasive

action.

Degree of evasive action taken, if any (from

both aircraft, if possible).

10.

Injuries, if any.

f. Investigation.

The FSDO in whose area the

incident occurred is responsible for the investigation

and reporting of NMACs.

Existing radar, communication, and weather

data will be examined in the conduct of the

investigation. When possible, all cockpit crew

members will be interviewed regarding factors

involving the NMAC incident. Air traffic controllers

will be interviewed in cases where one or more of the

involved aircraft was provided ATC service. Both

flight and ATC procedures will be evaluated. When

the investigation reveals a violation of an FAA

regulation, enforcement action will be pursued.

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4. Unidentified Flying Object (UFO)

Reports

Persons wanting to report UFO/unexplained

phenomena activity should contact a UFO/unex-

plained phenomena reporting data collection center,

such as Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies

(BAASS) (voice: 1−877−979−7444 or e−mail:

Reporting@baass.org), the National UFO Reporting

Center, etc.

If concern is expressed that life or property

might be endangered, report the activity to the local

law enforcement department.

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5. Safety Alerts For Operators (SAFO)

and Information For Operators (InFO)

SAFOs contain important safety information

that is often time-critical. A SAFO may contain

information and/or recommended (non-regulatory)

action to be taken by the respective operators or

parties identified in the SAFO. The audience for

SAFOs varies with each subject and may include: Air

carrier certificate holders, air operator certificate

holders, general aviation operators, directors of

safety, directors of operations, directors of mainten-

ance, fractional ownership program managers,

training center managers, accountable managers at

repair stations, and other parties as applicable.

InFOs are similar to SAFOs, but contain

valuable information for operators that should help

them meet administrative requirements or certain

regulatory requirements with relatively low urgency

or impact in safety.

The SAFO and InFO system provides a means

to rapidly distribute this information to operators and
can be found at:

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/
airline_operators/airline_safety/safo

and

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/
airline_operators/airline_safety/info

or search keyword FAA SAFO or FAA INFO. Free

electronic subscription is available on the “ALL

SAFOs” or “ALL InFOs” page of the website.