Internal Safety Reporting

FAR 91.1021 Internal Safety Reporting

FAR 91.1021 requires fractional ownership program managers to set up anonymous safety reporting and incident/accident response procedures. Study guide for pilots.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1021 applies to fractional ownership program managers operating under Subpart K. It establishes two basic safety-management requirements:

  • The program manager must create an internal anonymous safety reporting procedure. The system must encourage open reporting and protect crewmembers and employees from retribution for filing a report.
  • The program manager must also establish procedures to respond to an aviation incident or accident.

Why it matters operationally: anonymous reporting lets pilots, mechanics, and dispatchers flag hazards — fatigue, maintenance discrepancies, procedural confusion — before they cause an accident. A pre-built incident/accident response plan ensures that when something does go wrong, the program manager already knows how to handle notifications, preserve evidence, support crew, and coordinate with the NTSB and FAA. Together, these two requirements form the backbone of a fractional program's basic safety management system.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1021
§ 91.1021 Internal safety reporting and incident/accident response. (a) Each program manager must establish an internal anonymous safety reporting procedure that fosters an environment of safety without any potential for retribution for filing the report. (b) Each program manager must establish procedures to respond to an aviation incident/accident.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under Subpart K, what does the program manager have to do regarding internal safety reporting?
Per FAR 91.1021, each program manager must establish an internal anonymous safety reporting procedure that fosters a safety culture without any potential for retribution against the person filing the report.
Q2Does FAR 91.1021 require any kind of incident or accident planning?
Yes. FAR 91.1021(b) requires each program manager to establish procedures to respond to an aviation incident or accident.
Q3Why does FAR 91.1021 specifically require that safety reports be anonymous?
FAR 91.1021(a) requires anonymity so the program fosters an environment of safety without any potential for retribution, encouraging crewmembers to report hazards openly.
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FAR 91.1021 — Internal Safety Reporting & Incident Response