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Safety

Emergency frequencies · reporting · FSDO · mental health

In-progress emergency: dial 911 first, then squawk 7700, transmit on 121.5.

Emergency in flight

  • 121.5

    International VHF distress / guard

  • 243.0

    Military / SAR UHF guard

  • 7700

    Transponder · general emergency

  • 7600

    Transponder · radio communication failure

  • 7500

    Transponder · hijack

  • 406 MHz

    ELT / EPIRB satellite distress

Mayday phraseology

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, [Tail], [type], [position], [intentions], [souls on board], [fuel remaining]."

Pan-Pan (urgency)

"Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, [Tail], [nature of urgency], [intentions]." Use when assistance is needed but not life-threatening.

Lost comms (IFR)

Squawk 7600. Fly Assigned · Vectored · Expected · Filed (AVE-F). Altitude: highest of MEA / Expected / Assigned.

After-event reporting

Not sure where to report? Reporting questionnaire lists every system you must or can file with, with deadlines. NTSB only: Part 830 checker.

  • NTSB

    Notify NTSB — accident or major incident

    49 CFR Part 830 reportable events: fatality, serious injury, substantial damage, loss of control, in-flight fire, in-flight collision, prop strike, gear-up, etc. Use the Atlas Part 830 reportability checker if you're not sure whether your event triggers immediate notification.

    +1-844-373-9922 Deadline · Immediately
    Open Portal →

  • TallyAero

    Part 830 reportability checker

    Walk through §830.5 immediate-notification triggers and §830.15 10-day report criteria. Outputs a clear verdict with citations. Use this when you're unsure whether to notify.

    Deadline · Decision support
    Open Portal →

  • NTSB

    Submit NTSB Form 6120.1

    Written aviation accident / incident report. Required after the immediate notification above.

    Deadline · Within 10 days
    Open Portal →

  • NASA

    NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS)

    Voluntary, confidential, non-punitive incident reporting. Generally provides FAA enforcement immunity if filed within 10 days.

    +1-800-541-2949 Deadline · Within 10 days for immunity
    Open Portal →

  • FAA

    FAA Safety Hotline

    Suspected violations, system safety concerns, ATC issues, suspected unapproved parts, suspected operator non-compliance.

    +1-800-255-1111
    Open Portal →

  • FAA

    Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP)

    Voluntary safety program for Part 121/135 carriers. If your operator is a participant, file through your in-house ASAP rather than ASRS.

    Open Portal →

  • TSA

    TSA General Aviation

    Suspicious aviation activity, security concerns, unauthorized airspace use. The "1-866-GA-SECURE" hotline is the standard reporting channel.

    +1-866-427-3287
    Open Portal →

Phone book

FAA NOTAM portals

FAA NOTAM Search →

notams.aim.faa.gov · current production portal

Aeronautical Info Services →

Charts, supplements, NOTAMs index

Check six