Definition of a serious incident

A serious incident is an incident involving circumstances indicating that there was a high probability of an accident associated with the operation of a manned or unmanned aircraft. Typical examples of serious incidents are the following:

- Engine failures;
- Emergency landings;
- Unintentional convergence of two aircraft (Airprox, near miss, runway incursion);
- Fires or development of smoke in the aircraft, even if these could be extinguished;
- VFR flights in IMC;
- Almost controlled flight into terrain (CFIT);
- Incidents in which the crew were forced to use oxygen;
- Failure of several redundant on-board systems or air traffic control systems;
- Fuel shortage;
- Incapacitation of a flight crew member during the flight;
- Runway excursion or runway overrun during take-off or landing.

For a detailed definition of a serious incident, see Art. 2 paras. 7 and 16 of Regulation (EU) No  996/2010 in connection with Art. 5 OSITI and the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 996/2010.

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Last edition: 07.10.2020