Safety and Incident Reporting
Why reporting exists
Safety reporting is a learning system, not a punishment system. The purpose is to identify hazards before they cause harm, so reports should be factual, timely and free of blame. Understand the distinction between an occurrence (an event that happened, such as a hard landing or airspace infringement), an incident (an occurrence that affected safety), and an accident (involving death, serious injury or substantial damage). Questions often blur these definitions.
What must be reported and when
Candidates should know that serious incidents and accidents must be reported to the relevant authority promptly, and that many organisations also require an internal report. Preserve evidence - do not move an aircraft involved in an accident unless needed to save life or prevent further danger. Know that confidential and voluntary reporting schemes exist to capture information that mandatory reporting might miss.
Human factors and just culture
A just culture distinguishes human error from reckless behaviour. Fatigue, distraction, complacency, pressure and poor communication are the recurring themes. The dirty dozen of maintenance human factors and the IMSAFE pre-flight self-check (illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, emotion) are worth memorising as frameworks rather than lists.
Worked example
A student pilot enters controlled airspace without a clearance and lands safely. Nothing was damaged and nobody was hurt. This is an occurrence and a serious airspace infringement, not an accident - but it is reportable and should be reported promptly and honestly. Rule of thumb: if you are unsure whether to report, report.
Traps to expect
Assuming no damage means no report; believing a report will automatically trigger enforcement; and confusing voluntary confidential schemes with mandatory occurrence reporting.