NTSB Definition of Unmanned Aircraft Accident

In plain language

For NTSB reporting, an accident is defined by the timeframe between system activation and deactivation, resulting in either death or serious injury to any person, or substantial damage to a drone that weighs 300 pounds or more.

Requirement as structured

Defines an unmanned aircraft accident as an occurrence between system activation and deactivation where any person suffers death or serious injury, or a UAS with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or more sustains substantial damage.

Original regulatory text

NTSB regulations define an “unmanned aircraft accident” as an occurrence associated with the operation of any public or civil UAS that takes place between the time that the system is activated with the purpose of flight and the time that the system is deactivated at the conclusion of its mission, in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or the aircraft has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or greater and sustains substantial damage.

Applies when

country

United States

regulatory category

General