Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

When is an aircraft operator required to submit an incident report to the NTSB?

1. Within 7 days.

2. Within 10 days.

3. Only if requested to do so.

4. Immediately after the incident.

The correct answer is: Only if requested to do so.

An aircraft operator is required to submit an incident report to the NTSB only if requested to do so. Incidents that need to be reported to the NTSB fall under specific categories defined by regulations, primarily concerning significant safety concerns or unusual situations that could affect aviation safety. In terms of the regulatory framework, an operator typically has the responsibility to report certain types of accidents and incidents promptly, but not all incidents require an immediate report. The NTSB may inquire about incidents, and upon their request, the operator must submit a detailed report. This practice ensures that the NTSB can maintain oversight of aviation safety while allowing operators some flexibility in report submission, as not all incidents necessitate immediate reporting without necessarily being prompted by an investigation need. The other options present specific timelines or conditions that do not align with the NTSB's reporting requirements for non-accident incidents, reinforcing that a report is conditional on an official request rather than a standard timeline for all incidents.