When is notification required to the NTSB after an incident has caused substantial damage?

Notification to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is required when there is damage affecting flight characteristics because this type of incident poses a significant risk to safety. Flight characteristics are critical to the safe operation of an aircraft, and any damage that could impair those characteristics necessitates immediate reporting to ensure regulatory oversight and prevent future occurrences.

Damage affecting flight characteristics encompasses a wide range of issues, from structural integrity breaches to malfunctioning control systems, all of which could directly impact the safety of the flight. The requirement for notification underscores the NTSB’s mandate to investigate serious incidents and enhance aviation safety through thorough analysis and recommendations.

The other scenarios listed do not necessarily meet the threshold for mandatory notification. For instance, damage to the landing gear, while concerning, may not always impact the aircraft's ability to fly if it occurs on the ground without affecting flight systems. Similarly, an engine failure during flight often requires assessment based on its specific impact on safety, as not all failures lead to an urgent need for reporting. An in-flight cabin door opening could indicate a significant issue, but it does not inherently imply damage affecting flight characteristics unless it directly impacts the aircraft's performance or safety. Thus, the criteria for notification hinge primarily on the potential risks associated with flight characteristics