OAS Safety Terms & Definitions

Aircraft Accident
An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage.

Aircraft Incident
An occurrence other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft, which affects or could affect the safety of operations.

Airspace Conflict
A near mid-air collision, intrusion, or violation of airspace rules.

Aviation Hazard
Any condition, act, or set of circumstances associated with aviation operations that exposes the Department to the risk of personnel injury, material damage, or mission degradation.

Fatal Injury
Any injury which results in death within 30 days of the accident.

First Aid
Any medical attention that does not result in a bill for services. If a physician prescribes medical treatment for less than serious injury and makes a charge for this service, that injury becomes "medical attention."

Forced Landing
A landing necessitated by a situation, which may or may not result in damage.

General Aviation
That portion of civil aviation that encompasses all facets of aviation except air carriers.

Incident with Potential (IWP)
An incident that narrowly misses being an accident and in which the circumstances indicate significant potential for substantial damage or serious injury. Final classification will be determined by the OAS Chief of Aviation Safety and Program Evaluations.

Maintenance Deficiency
An equipment defect or failure which affects or could affect the safety of operations, or that causes an interruption to the services being performed.

Medical Attention
An injury which is classified as less than serious, for which a physician prescribes medical treatment and makes a charge for this service.

Non-chargeable Accidents
Those aircraft accidents in which DOI was not exercising operation control over the aircraft at the time of the accident but in which DOI employees or DOI procured aircraft were involved. The degree of investigation of a non-chargeable accident is at the discretion of the OAS Chief of Aviation Safety and Program Evaluations.

Operator
Any person who causes or authorizes the operation of an aircraft, such as the owner, lessee, or bailee of an aircraft.

Precautionary Landing
A landing necessitated by a situation which makes continued flight inadvisable.

Serious Injury
Any injury which: (1) requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date the injury was received; (2) results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose); (3) causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon damage; (4) involves any internal organ; or (5) involves second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5 percent of the body surface.

Statistically Accountable Accidents
Those in which DOI exercised operational control of the aircraft.

Substantial Damage
Damage or failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics of the aircraft, and which would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component. Engine failure or damage limited to an engine if only one engine fails or is damaged, bent fairings or cowling, dented skin, small punctured holes in the skin or fabric, ground damage to rotor or propeller blades, and damage to landing gear, wheels, tires, flaps, engine accessories, brakes, or wing tips are not considered "substantial damage" for the purpose of 49 CFR Part 830.2 Definitions.

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