Which statement best defines an accident according to the NTSB?

• A. An occurrence during flight that results in minor damage to the aircraft.
• B. An occurrence that takes place between boarding and disembarking and involves fatal or serious injury or substantial aircraft damage.
• C. An incident declared by local authorities as an accident.
• D. An event not requiring investigation by NTSB.

Answer: (B)

The NTSB defines an accident as an event that occurs from the moment a person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until all have disembarked, and it results in fatal or serious injury or substantial damage to the aircraft. This captures two key elements: the specific time window during which the event must occur, and the threshold of injury or damage that qualifies as an accident. Minor damage or incidents that don’t meet the substantial damage criterion don’t count as accidents. Likewise, an event outside the boarding-to-disembarking window isn’t classified as an accident under this definition, and the label isn’t determined by local authorities or simply by whether an investigation is required.