Which incident requires an immediate notification be made to the nearest NTSB field office?

• A. An overdue aircraft that is believed to be involved in an accident
• B. A routine maintenance check
• C. A taxi collision on the ramp
• D. A smooth landing per standard procedures

Answer: (A)

Immediate notification to the nearest NTSB field office is required whenever an aircraft accident has occurred, or is believed to have occurred. An overdue aircraft that is believed to be involved in an accident fits this trigger because there’s a strong possibility of an accident and rapid notification helps prompt search and rescue and the investigation. Routine maintenance, a taxi collision on the ramp, or a normal smooth landing are not accidents and do not by themselves require immediate NTSB notification.