Occurrence Reporting
Why report occurrences?
Effective reporting of hazards by operational personnel is an important element in the management of safety. An operational environment in which personnel are trained and encouraged to submit reports is a prerequisite of effective safety reporting. It is fundamental to the purpose of the reporting of incidents and accidents that the knowledge gained from the investigation of these occurrences is disseminated so that we may all learn from them.
The sole objective of occurrence reporting is the prevention of accidents and incidents, without the apportionment of blame or liability. The Isle of Man CAA promotes a just culture in the interests of the ongoing development of flight safety. Just culture is a culture in which front-line operators and others are not punished for actions, omissions or decisions taken by them which are commensurate with their experience and training, but where gross negligence, wilful violations and destructive acts are not tolerated.
The Isle of Man is not bound by EU regulations pertaining to occurrence reporting and does not use the European Central Repositories for occurrences (ECR-ECCAIRS).
Who must report?
The following persons report occurrences which may represent a significant risk to aviation safety within 72 hours of that person becoming aware of the occurrence:
- a person who performs a function in the Isle of Man as a staff member of an air traffic services provider entrusted with responsibilities related to air traffic services;
- a person who performs a function connected with the safety management of Isle of Man Airport;
- a person employed by or at Isle of Man Airport who performs a function relating to the operation of the aerodrome;
- a person who performs a function connected with the installation, modification, maintenance, repair, overhaul, flight-checking or inspection of air traffic service equipment6 approved by the department;
- the remote pilot of a small unmanned aircraft having mass of not less than 250 grams;
- a person who is involved with the transport of dangerous goods by air.
Reports must be submitted on CAA Form 1 or other format approved by the Isle of Man CAA.
Safety Information Protection
The Occurrence Reporting legislation provides legal protection about the use and sharing of safety data and information. The objective of protecting safety data, safety information and their related sources in legislation is to ensure their continued availability, with a view to using it for maintaining or improving aviation safety, while encouraging individuals and organizations to report safety data and safety information. In this context, the importance of implementing protections cannot be overstated. The legal protections are not intended to relieve sources of their safety related obligations or interfere with the proper administration of justice.
Isle of Man Requirements
The Isle of Man legislative requirements and further guidance is provided in CAA Publication 7 (CP7)
