aim-597

6/17/21

AIM

ATC will not interpret a casual remark to mean that
a NMAC is being reported. The pilot should state “I
wish to report a near midair collision.”

d. Where to File Reports.

Pilots and/or flight

crew members involved in NMAC occurrences are
urged to report each incident immediately:

By radio or telephone to the nearest FAA ATC

facility or FSS.

In writing, in lieu of the above, to the nearest

Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

e. Items to be Reported.

Date and time (UTC) of incident.

Location of incident and altitude.

Identification and type of reporting aircraft,

aircrew destination, name and home base of pilot.

Identification and type of other aircraft,

aircrew destination, name and home base of pilot.

Type of flight plans; station altimeter setting

used.

Detailed weather conditions at altitude or

flight level.

Approximate courses of both aircraft:

indicate if one or both aircraft were climbing or
descending.

Reported separation in distance at first

sighting, proximity at closest point horizontally and
vertically, and length of time in sight prior to evasive
action.

Degree of evasive action taken, if any (from

both aircraft, if possible).

10.

Injuries, if any.

f. Investigation.

The FSDO in whose area the

incident occurred is responsible for the investigation
and reporting of NMACs.

Existing radar, communication, and weather

data will be examined in the conduct of the
investigation. When possible, all cockpit crew
members will be interviewed regarding factors
involving the NMAC incident. Air traffic controllers
will be interviewed in cases where one or more of the

involved aircraft was provided ATC service. Both
flight and ATC procedures will be evaluated. When
the investigation reveals a violation of an FAA
regulation, enforcement action will be pursued.

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4. Unidentified Flying Object (UFO)

Reports

Persons wanting to report UFO/unexplained

phenomena activity should contact a UFO/unex-
plained phenomena reporting data collection center,
such as the National UFO Reporting Center, etc.

If concern is expressed that life or property

might be endangered, report the activity to the local
law enforcement department.

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5. Safety Alerts For Operators (SAFO)

and Information For Operators (InFO)

SAFOs contain important safety information

that is often time-critical. A SAFO may contain
information and/or recommended (non-regulatory)
action to be taken by the respective operators or
parties identified in the SAFO. The audience for
SAFOs varies with each subject and may include: Air
carrier certificate holders, air operator certificate
holders, general aviation operators, directors of
safety, directors of operations, directors of mainten-
ance, fractional ownership program managers,
training center managers, accountable managers at
repair stations, and other parties as applicable.

InFOs are similar to SAFOs, but contain

valuable information for operators that should help
them meet administrative requirements or certain
regulatory requirements with relatively low urgency
or impact in safety.

The SAFO and InFO system provides a means

to rapidly distribute this information to operators and
can be found at the following website:

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/
airline_operators/airline_safety/safo

and

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/
airline_operators/airline_safety/info

or search keyword FAA SAFO or FAA INFO. Free
electronic subscription is available on the “ALL
SAFOs” or “ALL InFOs” page of the website.

Safety, Accident, and Hazard Reports

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