[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 174 (Monday, September 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42707-42709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19177]


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NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request; Renewal of NTSB 
Form 6120.1

AGENCY: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

ACTION: First notice.

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SUMMARY: The NTSB plans to submit an Information Collection Request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue using 
NTSB Form 6120.1, a previously approved information collection.

DATES: Submit written comments regarding the renewal of this 
information collection by November 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested members of the public may submit written comments 
on this collection of information to the NTSB Office of Aviation 
Safety, 490 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20594.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Darrin Broadwater, NTSB Office of 
Aviation Safety, (202) 314-6370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 
U.S.C. Ch. 35, and OMB regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, the NTSB seeks 
public comment on this proposed renewal of an information collection. 
By completing Form 6120.1, aircraft operators provide the NTSB with 
information needed to facilitate the NTSB's investigation of aircraft 
accidents. This renewal request is not associated with a rulemaking 
activity.

[[Page 42708]]

I. Paperwork Reduction Act Requirement

    OMB regulations require that the NTSB notify the public that it may 
submit comments on this proposed information collection. Prior to 
submitting a collection of information to OMB for approval, 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1) requires an agency to ``provide 60-day notice in the 
Federal Register, and otherwise consult with members of the public and 
affected agencies concerning . . . [the] proposed collection of 
information.'' Section 1320.8(d)(1) also requires the NTSB to solicit 
comments on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) 
Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the NTSB to perform 
its mission; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for the 
NTSB to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected 
information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized without 
reducing the quality of the collected information. The NTSB will 
summarize and/or include the public's comments in its subsequent 
request for OMB approval of this information collection. 5 CFR 
1320.10(a).

II. Description of NTSB Form 6120.1

    An operator of a civil aircraft, a public aircraft not operated by 
the Armed Forces or an intelligence agency of the United States, or a 
foreign aircraft is required to report ``immediately and by the most 
expeditious means available'' to the nearest NTSB office (1) an 
aircraft accident, as defined in 49 CFR 830.2; (2) any of the serious 
incidents listed in 49 CFR 830.5; or (3) when an aircraft is overdue 
and believed to have been in an accident. 49 CFR 830.5. The NTSB 
recently established a web-based form, OMB Control Number 3147-0027, 
for reporting serious incidents listed in section 830.5(a).
    After immediately notifying the NTSB, an operator is required to 
complete Form 6120.1, OMB Control Number 3147-0001, (1) within 10 days 
after an aircraft accident; (2) after 7 days if an overdue aircraft is 
still missing; or (3) as requested by an NTSB representative if the 
report is for a serious incident listed in 49 CFR 830.5(a).
    The NTSB has been using Form 6120.1 for several years to collect 
information about aviation accidents and incidents. The Pilot/Operator 
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form is used in determining the 
facts, conditions, and circumstances of aircraft accidents, in 
conducting accident prevention activities, and for statistical 
purposes.
    The 11-page form begins with two pages of definitions and 
instructions to assist operators in completing it. For each piece of 
information sought, the form provides space for a short written answer, 
a text box for a narrative answer, or a list of options with 
checkboxes. The form is divided into 18 categories:
    Basic information--requests information concerning the location and 
date and time of the accident or incident, the phase of operation 
during which the accident or incident occurred, whether the occurrence 
was a collision with other aircraft, and the altitude if the event was 
an in-flight occurrence.
    Aircraft information--requests the manufacturer, model, serial 
number, registration number, weight and center of gravity of the 
aircraft, whether the aircraft was amateur-built, category of aircraft, 
type of airworthiness certificate, number of seats, type of landing 
gear, type of maintenance program, type and date of last inspection, 
total time on airframe, type of fire extinguishing system, type of 
reciprocating fuel system, and type of propeller.
    The aircraft information category also requests ``yes'' or ``no'' 
answers to the following: Whether the aircraft was instrument flight 
rules (IFR) equipped; whether it had a stall warning system installed; 
whether the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was activated, and 
additional information about the ELT, such as whether it aided in 
locating the accident/incident, its manufacturer, model/series, serial 
number, and battery type.
    This section of the form also requests detailed information 
concerning the engine(s) on the aircraft, such as the engine 
manufacturer, model/series, serial number, date of manufacture, type of 
power measurement (horsepower or pounds of thrust), total time on 
engine, time since last inspection, and time since overhaul. In the 
category entitled, ``Other Aircraft--Collision,'' the form requests a 
few types of information similar to that in the aircraft information 
category, such as the aircraft registration number, manufacturer and 
model, and the names and contact information for the registered owner 
and pilot of the other aircraft. Lastly, the form asks whether the 
aircraft sustained minor or no damage, substantial damage, or was 
destroyed.
    Owner/operator information--requests specific information 
concerning the status of the aircraft. For example, the category 
includes requests for the names and contact information for both the 
owner and the operator of the aircraft, the Federal Aviation Regulation 
under which the flight was conducted, whether the flight was a revenue 
sightseeing flight or air medical flight, the purpose of the flight, 
the type of revenue operation, type of cargo operation (if applicable), 
and the type of commercial operating certificate the operator holds.
    Airport information--if an accident or incident occurred on 
approach, takeoff, or within 3 miles of an airport, the form requests 
the airport name and identifier, the aircraft's proximity to airport 
(as off or on the airport or airstrip), the distance and direction from 
airport, the elevation of the airport, the approach segment, the type 
of IFR approach, the type of visual flight rules (VFR) approach, the 
runway information, and the type and condition of runway or landing 
surface.
    Flight crewmember 1 information--requests the crewmember's name and 
contact information, date of birth, certificate number, degree of 
injury, seat occupied, principal occupation, pilot and medical 
certificates, date of last aviation medical examination, and medical 
certificate limitations and waivers, flight reviews, date of the last 
flight review and the type of aircraft used on the last flight review, 
aircraft ratings, instrument ratings, instructor ratings, type ratings, 
student endorsements, and restraints used.
    This category ends with a chart requesting the crewmember's total 
flight time, pilot-in-command time, instructor time, time in this make/
model, time during the last 90 days, time during the last 30 days, and 
time during the last 24 hours in all aircraft, the accident make and 
model, all single-engine aircraft, all multi-engine aircraft, night-
time flights, instrument flights, rotorcraft, glider, and lighter-than-
air aircraft.
    Flight crewmember 2 information--is identical to the crewmember 2 
category.
    Additional flight crewmembers--requests pilot names and contact 
information, degree of injury, seat occupied, type of pilot 
certificates, whether the crewmember was type-rated for the aircraft 
involved in the accident or incident, and the total flight time at the 
time of the accident or incident.
    Passengers/other personnel--requests the name, city, state, zip 
code, and seat number for each passenger, as well as whether the 
passenger is crew, non-revenue, revenue, non-occupant, or Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA).
    Flight itinerary information--requests place and time of last 
departure, destination, type of flight plan filed, type of air traffic 
control clearance or service, airspace where the accident or

[[Page 42709]]

incident occurred, and a description of the aircraft load.
    Weather information at the accident/incident site--requests the 
weather observation facility, source of weather information, type, 
method, and completeness of weather briefing, temperature, altimeter 
setting, density altitude, dew point, type and intensity of 
precipitation, forecasted and actual icing conditions, light condition, 
visibility and restrictions, sky and lowest cloud condition, type and 
height of ceiling, wind direction, speed, and gusts, type and severity 
of turbulence, and Notices to Airman and similar advisories in effect 
at the time of the flight.
    Damage to aircraft and other property--requests information about 
aircraft damage, fire, or explosion, and provides space a narrative 
description of damage to the aircraft and other property.
    Narrative history of flight--requests the operator to describe the 
circumstances of the accident or incident. This section instructs the 
operator to: ``Describe what occurred in chronological order, including 
circumstances leading to and nature of accident/incident. Describe 
terrain and include wreckage distribution sketch if pertinent. Attach 
extra sheets if needed. State departure time and location, services 
obtained, and intended destination. Provide as much detail as 
possible.''
    Recommendation--requests the operator to make a recommendation 
about how this accident or incident could have been prevented.
    Mechanical malfunction/failure--if the operator believes the 
accident/incident resulted from a mechanical malfunction or failure, 
this section requests the name of the part, manufacturer, part number, 
serial number, total time/cycles on the part, total time since the part 
was inspected or overhauled, and a description of the failure.
    Fuel and services information--requests the amount of fuel on board 
at the last takeoff (in gallons), the type of fuel, and any other 
services that may have occurred prior to takeoff.
    Evacuation of aircraft--if an emergency evacuation occurred, the 
form requests the operator to describe how occupants exited and how 
many occupants exited each exit.
    Other aircraft--collision--if an air or ground collision occurred, 
this section requests the registration number, manufacturer, model, 
owner and pilot of, and damage to the other aircraft.
    Additional information--provides space for an operator to provide 
additional information about any of the previous sections.
    The form concludes with a signature line and certification that the 
information provided on the form is complete and accurate to the best 
of the operator's knowledge.

III. Use of Information Provided on Form 6120.1

    In general, the NTSB uses the information provided on Form 6120.1 
to determine the facts, conditions, and circumstances for aircraft 
accident prevention activities and for statistical purposes. The NTSB 
typically receives several notifications for each accident or incident, 
but only requests completion of Form 6120.1 once the NTSB has 
determined it will pursue an investigation into the event.
    The NTSB's investigations of aviation accidents and incidents are 
exhaustive. The NTSB utilizes a ``party process,'' as described in 49 
CFR part 831, in which the NTSB invites outside entities to assist with 
an investigation as a ``party.'' The NTSB extends party status to those 
organizations that can provide the necessary technical assistance to 
the investigation. The investigator-in-charge (IIC), for example, often 
confers party status to the operator, aircraft, systems, and powerplant 
manufacturers, and labor organizations involved because of the accident 
circumstances. Everyone involved in an NTSB investigation, including 
the parties, depend on accurate information contained in Form 6120.1 to 
determine which areas warrant focus and attention. Overall, the NTSB 
considers Form 6120.1 to be critical to its statutory function of 
investigation accidents and incidents, and subsequently issuing safety 
recommendations to prevent future accidents and incidents.
    The NTSB has carefully considered whether Form 6120.1 is 
duplicative of any other agency's collection of information. The NTSB 
is unaware of any form the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
disseminates that requests the same information as Form 6120.1. 
However, the NTSB notes some operators may choose to provide a 
voluntary report to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) in accordance with the Aviation Safety Reporting Program (ASRP). 
NASA will not accept ASRP reports about aircraft accidents; however, it 
is possible that an operator could report an incident listed in 49 CFR 
830.5 to the NTSB on Form 6120.1, and contemporaneously submit an ASRP 
report about the incident to NASA.
    Completing and filing Form 6120.1 is required. 49 CFR 830.15(a). 
The NTSB generally does not accept partially completed forms. NTSB 
investigators will exercise their discretion in requiring an operator 
to complete a partially completed form.
    Currently, the NTSB accepts paper copies of Form 6120.1 sent via 
postal mail or facsimile, and a fillable PDF version of Form 6120.1 
available on the NTSB Web site sent via email. The NTSB has received 
comments from various respondents who have requested an automated 
version of the form be available on the NTSB Web site. The NTSB is 
currently working to make the form available in such a manner, and is 
committed to providing the simplest manner of submission for all 
respondents.
    The NTSB has carefully reviewed the form to ensure that it has used 
plain, coherent, and unambiguous language. The NTSB estimates that 
respondents will spend approximately 60 minutes completing the form. 
The NTSB estimates that approximately 1,500 operators will complete the 
form per year, but this number may vary, given the unpredictable nature 
and frequency of aviation accidents and incidents.

Robert L. Sumwalt, III,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 2017-19177 Filed 9-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7533-01-P