FAR 91.25 — Aviation Safety Reporting Program
FAR 91.25 explains how NASA Aviation Safety Reporting Program (ASRS) reports are protected from FAA enforcement — what's covered and what isn't.
In Plain English
FAR 91.25 protects pilots who voluntarily file reports through the Aviation Safety Reporting Program (ASRS), which is administered by NASA (not the FAA). Under this rule, the FAA Administrator will not use ASRS reports — or any information derived from them — in an enforcement action against a pilot.
There are two important exceptions, which are wholly excluded from the program's protection:
- Information concerning accidents
- Information concerning criminal offenses
Why this matters operationally:
- It encourages pilots to self-report safety issues, deviations, and near-misses without fear that their candor will be turned into a violation.
- The data NASA collects is de-identified and used to spot system-wide safety trends, helping the entire aviation community learn from mistakes.
- Filing an ASRS report is a common practice after an unintentional deviation (for example, a busted altitude or airspace clip). While the report itself doesn't erase a violation, FAR 91.25 ensures the report can't be used as evidence against you in most enforcement situations.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.25§ 91.25 Aviation Safety Reporting Program: Prohibition against use of reports for enforcement purposes.
The Administrator of the FAA will not use reports submitted to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under the Aviation Safety Reporting Program (or information derived therefrom) in any enforcement action except information concerning accidents or criminal offenses which are wholly excluded from the Program.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1If you accidentally bust an altitude in IMC, can the FAA use your NASA ASRS report against you in an enforcement action?
No. Under FAR 91.25, the FAA will not use ASRS reports, or information derived from them, in enforcement actions, which encourages voluntary safety reporting.
Q2Are there any situations where ASRS report information is not protected from FAA enforcement use?
Yes. FAR 91.25 states that information concerning accidents or criminal offenses is wholly excluded from the program's protection and may be used in enforcement.
Q3Who actually administers the Aviation Safety Reporting Program, and why does that matter?
Per FAR 91.25, reports are submitted to NASA, not the FAA. This third-party handling supports the confidentiality and non-enforcement use of the reports.
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Related Sections in Part 91