What constitutes a reportable aviation incident?

A reportable aviation incident is defined as an occurrence that has the potential to lead to a serious accident or that significantly impacts the safety of flight operations. Emergencies that could escalate into major accidents are classified as reportable because they indicate a failure or anomaly in flight operations that needs to be documented and analyzed. By capturing these incidents, regulatory authorities can investigate them to identify trends, prevent future occurrences, and improve aviation safety standards.

While minor accidents and serious accidents are relevant to aviation safety, they may already be captured under different classifications concerning accidents specifically. Flight delays, on the other hand, do not inherently pose a safety risk and thus do not qualify as reportable aviation incidents. Identifying and reporting potential threats to safety, as represented by emergencies, is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the overall safety of air travel.