What is the definition of an aircraft incident?

• A. An event affecting flight safety without serious injury
• B. A catastrophic failure requiring immediate evacuation
• C. A collision with an object on the runway
• D. A fire break on the aircraft

Answer: (A)

An aircraft incident is defined as an event that affects flight safety without resulting in serious injury. This definition encompasses a wide range of occurrences that may pose a risk to the safe operation of the aircraft but do not lead to significant harm to passengers, crew, or the aircraft itself. Recognizing that even minor events can have implications for safety is crucial for ensuring rigorous reporting and learning from such occurrences to prevent future incidents.

While other scenarios mentioned may indeed be serious and warrant concern, they typically fall outside the broader definition of an "incident." For example, a catastrophic failure requiring immediate evacuation indicates a more severe situation that goes beyond mere incidents to major emergencies. Similarly, a collision with an object on the runway or a fire break can also signify critical events that would likely be classified as accidents rather than incidents, as they typically involve significant risk to safety and require substantial response efforts.