NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS)
Explanation And Opinion Provided Here Via Courtesy Of
Coy Jacob's Mod Squad Complex
Disclaimer:
What follows is an industry common explanation of how using the "NASA
ASRS Reporting Form" can be used to help eliminate FAA enforcement action against you
(when acting as PIC in your Mooney) in the event of an inadvertent FAA violation. This is
provided as a courtesy but all information herein should be used at your own risk.
While this explanation echo's that of the AOPA etc., due to the seriousness of the
consequences of potential FAA actions, we do not guaranty timely accuracy as we urge you
to consult with the actual form in question and/or FAA AC 0049d (provided on a seperate
page) etc. as well as an aviation attorney etc. prior to depending on this information as
being an up to date & accurate interpretation of this procedure. |
What is this "NASA Form"?
A "NASA Form", or ARC Form 227B, is available to pilots, mechanics and air
traffic controllers to report aviation operations that may compromise safety. Under
certain circumstances, it can also protect pilots from fines and/or suspensions. However,
it is vital that any potential user be intimately familiar with all the qualifications and
procedures prior to submitting same form. For example, in order to obtain immunity
from fines and penalties or enforcement actions assessed by the FAA, "Time is
of the essence" when using this form as you only have 10 days to PROVE
you have submitted it to NASA properly.
Due to the seemingly scarcity of these type of forms "just when you may need
one", We advise you pre-print one of these NASA ARC Form 227's (as well as this explination & FAA AC 0049b) and keep one in your
flight kit, on your person, or in your Mooney at all times.
This "NASA Reporting Form 227B" is an integral part of the FAA's Aviation
Safety Reporting Program.
- NASA acts as a "third party" to receive and analyze Aviation Safety Reports.
- NASA designed and administers the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).
- Reports can be submitted by pilots, controllers and mechanics.
- Program structured to guarantee confidentiality and anonymity.
Primary Purpose:
- To improve safety by providing for the free, unrestricted flow of information from the
users of the NAS.
- Immunity from disciplinary action under certain circumstances.
Immunity from fine or penalty granted if:
- The "NASA Form" was sent within 10 days of event.
- Note: The burden of proof is on the reporter (you) that the report was sent.
- Violation was inadvertent and not deliberate.
- Violation did not involve a criminal offense or accident.
- Reporter was not previously found in violation of the regulations
within five years before date of event.
- FAA does not determine pilot was not qualified or competent to hold the
certificate he claimed to be operating under. (Note: This means you must
be qualified and "legal" in most all other areas.)
Procedure:
- Send in "NASA Form" within 10 days of event (certified mail,
return receipt requested is suggested).
- NASA de-identifies reporter in most circumstances.
- Report not de-identified in case of:
- A criminal offense (FAA and Department of Justice are notified).
- An accident (NTSB and FAA are notified).
- Portion of form that contains name and address is stamped and returned to reporter.
- Some information used in public newsletter and/or FAA policies.
The FAA will fully investigate if a violation is suspected, but will not query
NASA or alleged violator to see if a "NASA form" had been submitted. It
is only during FAA's formal enforcement action that you may request immunity.
Though immunity could be granted, the violation becomes part of the reporter's file.
Primary Source(s):
AOPA Web Site, "FAA Advisory
Circular 00-46D" & FAA/NASA Aviation Safety Reporting Program"
How To Get A Copy Of This NASA Reporting Form #227B:
Besides obtaining it FREE directly from the FAA or NASA, @ Flight Standards
District Offices or Flight Service Stations, or directly from NASA, ASRS, P.O. Box 189,
Moffett Field, CA 94035-9800, (if necessary), we also funish copies vi regular U.S. mail
free, and/or on an overnight FEDEx freight "cost" basis only providing you
furnish us with a credit card# for freight charges.The "NASA ARC Form 227 " is also available on-line from
Mooney Mart's Site. It is in the Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format and requires you utilize the
free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you already have Acrobat Reader installed, (or after you have it
installed via downloading from here), you may obtain a
.pdf (Acrobat) NASA Form 227 by Clicking Here.
OR
You may print the form out (via your browsers print command button) directly from our Site
via two gif images, one for each page of this two page NASA form. You can call up
one page at a time (via a gif image), print that page out, then return back to this page,
Click call up the second page (page 2 .gif), view it and/or print it out for page #2.
Thus you can obtain both pages of this 2 page form w/out having to load the Acrobat
program if you wish.
Click Here to view Page
1 gif of the NASA Reporting Form
Click Here to view Page
2 gif of the NASA Reporting Form |
To Return To The Top Of This Page
Click Here To
View The FAA's AC #0046d Circular Pertaining To This Subject
