REPORTING WITH RAAUS
DO YOU KNOW YOUR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS? F
our years have passed since RAAus implemented our Occurrence Management System (OMS) and it is important that we continue to discuss the importance of reporting, and how this can improve aviation safety for all members. Over the past four years of operation, the OMS has allowed RAAus to identify a number of critical safety outcomes and build important data to assist in shaping our safety messaging, all of which could not have been achieved without our membership actively reporting. We must however, continue to improve our reporting culture. Regardless of how big or small occurrences may seem, it is important that these are reported – If you are unsure whether something should be reported then our Safety team will be more than happy to offer further advice by contacting them via phone or emailing safety@raaus.com.au What can I report within the OMS? Did you know that the RAAus OMS allows you to report more than incidents and accidents? It also allows you to report hazards, defects, or to lodge a confidential complaint. This information is extremely important as it allows RAAus to act on behalf of our members and notify relevant parties in the event that we identify something that has the potential to negatively impact the safety of others. Do I have to submit a report to RAAus? Pilots, aircraft owners, flight instructors, witnesses and maintainers have a legal obligation to report occurrences under the Transport Safety Investigation Act. The RAAus OMS makes it easy for members to fulfil their reporting obligations, as reports submitted to RAAus also complete their reporting requirements under the Act. Occurrence types can be broken down into two categories, an Immediately reportable matter (IRM) or a routinely reportable matter (RRM): Immediately reportable matter (IRM) IRMs are accidents or serious incidents that affect the safety of aircraft. These may include occurrences that result in injury or damage to an aircraft or other property.
IRMs may include: –– Runway overshoot or undershoot –– Loss of control event –– Landing gear failure IRMs must be reported to RAAus by telephone as soon as practical, and a written report must be submitted within 72 hours. Routinely reportable matter (RRM) RRMs are occurrences that have, or could have, affected safety. RRMs may include: –– Runway incursion, excursion or ground loop, resulting in no damage –– A flat tyre –– Taxiing collision –– Bird strike –– Go-around due to another aircraft –– Near miss RRMs often do not result in any damage, and a written report must be submitted within 72 hours. I am an L1, L2 or L4 Maintainer, what are my maintenance reporting requirements? Aircraft maintainers, including owner maintainers and higher maintenance approval holders, have an obligation to report all known defects. The RAAus Technical Manual outlines maintenance reporting requirements and defines a defect as any fault in the design, function or qualitative characteristic of an item fitted to an aircraft which differs from the specification, the drawing, or recognised standard of good workmanship for that item other than that classified as fair wear and tear within manufacturer’s limits. Maintainers also have the requirement to report where a maintenance schedule or flight manual is considered to be deficient. An example of this may include identifying that a wheel rim on an aircraft is cracked. Though this may be the first time you have witnessed this issue, you should still submit a defect report. Nationally there may be a problem that we are
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