RAFSA Safety
Reporting

The following occurrences shall be reported for a UK Part 21 (CAA CofA or CAA Permit registered aircraft) regardless. For non-Part 21 aircraft (such as LAA permit to fly) the reporting remains voluntary, however, RAFSA Pilots shall submit a RAFSA Aviation Safety Report regardless to [email protected]. The following is a list of reportable occurrences for RAFSA operations:

• Unintentional loss of control.
• Landing outside of intended landing area.
• Inability or failure to achieve required aircraft performance expected in normal conditions during take-off, climb or landing.
• Runway incursion.
• Runway excursion.
• Any flight which has been performed with an aircraft which was not airworthy, or for which flight preparation was not completed, which has or could have endangered the aircraft, its occupants or any other person.
• Unintended flight into IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) conditions of aircraft not IFR (Instrument flight rules) certified, or a pilot not qualified for IFR, which has or could have endangered the aircraft, its occupants or any other person
• Unintentional release of cargo.
• Abnormal severe vibration (for example: aileron or elevator ‘flutter’, or of propeller).
• Any flight control not functioning correctly or disconnected.
• A failure or substantial deterioration of the aircraft structure.
• A loss of any part of the aircraft structure in flight.
• A failure of an engine, rotor, propeller, fuel system or other essential system.
• Leakage of any fluid which resulted in a fire hazard or possible hazardous contamination of aircraft structure, systems or equipment, or risk to occupants.
• Interaction with air navigation services (for example: incorrect services provided, conflicting communications or deviation from clearance) which has or could have endangered the aircraft, its occupants or any other person.
• Airspace infringement.
• Any occurrence leading to an emergency call.
• Fire, explosion, smoke, toxic gases or toxic fumes in the aircraft.
• Incapacitation of the pilot leading to inability to perform any duty.
• A collision on the ground or in the air, with another aircraft, terrain, vehicle or obstacle.
• A near collision, on the ground or in the air, with another aircraft, terrain, vehicle or obstacle requiring an emergency avoidance manoeuvre to avoid a collision (AIRPROX).
• Wildlife strike including bird strike which resulted in damage to the aircraft or loss or malfunction of any essential service.
• Interference with the aircraft by firearms, fireworks, flying kites, laser illumination, high powered lights lasers, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (‘drone’), model aircraft or by similar means.
• A lightning strike resulting in damage to or loss of functions of the aircraft.
• Severe turbulence encounter which resulted in injury to aircraft occupants or in the need for a post-flight turbulence damage check of the aircraft.
• Icing including carburettor icing which has or could have endangered the aircraft, its occupants or any other person.

Additionally, the MOD require reports of the following, so the following shall be reported for ALL RAFSA flights for the following reasons:

• Uncharted Obstructions.
• Injury to any personnel incurred during the operation of an aircraft.
• Any occurrence where ATC procedures, military flying regulations and/or, where appropriate, civil legislation are breached.
• The aircraft commander is to raise a DASOR when they have received and responded to a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Resolution Advisory (RA), regardless of the cause – for RAFSA this also includes a FLARM, ADS-B or PAW collision alert.
• Occurrences involving a serious increase in workload which correspondingly reduces safety margins due to fatigue; this must include cumulative fatigue.
• When an individual in direct support of aircraft operations has been adversely affected by injury; incapacitated due to illness, the use of drugs or alcohol; or affected by noxious fumes or food poisoning.  This includes aircrew or support personnel who, for any reason, are required to report to a medical officer after an incident.
• Occurrences involving FOD or loose articles either in or on aircraft and whether or not any damage results.
• If in any doubt, a Safety Report ought to be submitted .

The CAA have directed (as at Jan 21), until their own suite of reporting forms have been released, to use the offline ‘Individual’ EASA Aviation Safety Reporting forms at  https://e2.aviationreporting.eu/reporting. Ignore the fact that it says EASA on the tope for now. Completed forms should be emailed to the CAA at [email protected] with copies sent to the RAFSA Safety Manager at [email protected] and their DTO Flight Safety Officer (FSO). The FSO, in conjunction with the Club Flight Safety Committee, shall then conduct an investigation (unless it is reportable to the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB). The link below takes you to the CAA webpage on Occurrence Reporting for further guidance.