The reporting of safety occurrences is an important element of improving aviation safety – our occurrence reporting campaign explains more about how reporting helps prevent future accidents. For more detail and to report an occurrence direct to the CAA, visit our occurrence webpages.
UK Regulation (EU) 376/2014 covers the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation. Occurrence types which are mandatory to report are known as MORs, but any occurrence relevant to aviation safety may be reported. Data from each report is used to identify safety trends and implement mitigating measures if necessary. The CAA has an internal Occurrence Reporting Governance Group, with the aim of ensuring there is a standardised approach across the organisation.
Safety Sense Leaflet 32 – Occurrence Reporting for General Aviation provides more information on reporting occurrences related to General Aviation (GA) operations.
Just Culture
All reviews of occurrences are conducted in accordance with ‘Just Culture’ principles, meaning that people are treated fairly and not punished for actions, omissions or decisions that are commensurate with their experience and training. The aim of a Just Culture is to promote continuous learning from previous mistakes and to encourage aviation personnel to share safety related information.
Just Culture is an essential element of a broader safety culture and an important element of a robust safety management system. The CAA embraces safety culture principles and believes that in most cases where individuals may have made errors or mistakes, educational or training activities are sufficient to restore those concerned to the correct level of competence.
In cases of gross negligence, wilful violations or destructive acts, further regulatory action may be necessary. When addressing safety issues within a Just Culture, it is vital that investigations and decisions are fair and timely, and that all reasonable efforts are made by the CAA to decide upon remedial actions without delay.
If you wish to challenge a CAA decision that affects you, there are avenues available via the Independent Review Panel and the Regulation 6 process.
Just Culture Champion
The CAA has a GA Just Culture Champion, who is actively engaged with organisations such as the Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP). They are also engaged in the airspace infringement process as part of the CAA Infringement Coordination Group (ICG).
The Just Culture Champion has oversight of investigations related to MORs, whistle blower reports and Alleged Breaches of Air Navigation Legislation (ABANL).
Reporting case studies
Below are some examples of how the reporting of occurrences has had a positive impact on safety:
