Objective of the EU Reporting Regulation: More security through Just Culture
The European reporting regulation has a clear objective: Safety-related incidents should be reported openly and without fear of consequences. The relevant principle for this is called "Just Culture" - a fair error culture in which the misconduct of individuals is not sanctioned, but structural or systemic causes are recognised and eliminated.
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) is the competent authority in Germany for receiving such reports in general aviation. In 2023, it received over 15,000 event messages a clear sign that the system is being actively used.
What must be reported?
According to the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1018 events must be reported that affect the Safety of aircraft, crew, passengers or third parties have jeopardised or could have jeopardised. These include, among others:
Flight operations and external influences
- Loss of controllability or uncontrolled flight attitudes
- Flight with non-airworthy aircraft
- Emergency landings outside aerodromes
- Near collisions (e.g. with other aircraft, drones, birds, lasers)
- Lightning strike, dangerous turbulence, icing
Technical defects
- Failure of engine, propeller or flight controls
- Structural damage to the aircraft
- Fire hazard due to liquid leaks
- Vibrations or unusual noises
Communication & emergencies
- Miscommunication with air traffic control
- Airspace violations
- Smoke, fire, toxic gases on board
- Incapacity of the pilot
Special events with balloons
- Leaks or loss of lifting gas
- Failure of critical components such as the pilot flame
Who should report?
The regulation not only obliges professional actors to report - also Private pilots, flight controllers, aircraft owners and even aviation enthusiastswho make safety-relevant observations are encouraged to report incidents. Every single report can help to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the situation and recognise risks before they develop into accidents.
How the notification works - simple and digital
The notification is made via the European Aviation Reporting Portal (ECCAIRS2) under:
👉 www.aviationreporting.eu
The process is very simple:
- "Report an Occurrence" Select
- "Report without registration" click
- "Germany (CAA)" select
- "I report on my personal behalf"
- Registration form "General aviation (individual)" fill in and send
You can optionally enter contact details for queries. These are not saved or published and are for clarification purposes only if required.
What happens to the message?
The data is first anonymised and analysed by the German Federal Aviation Office and then flows into the Security-related evaluation at European level one. The EU agency EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) uses the data to recognise trends, issue safety warnings or develop regulatory measures.
A crucial point: The reports are not punishable by law. It is not about looking for culprits, but Understand causes and avoid dangers. An open error culture protects everyone involved in aviation in the long term.
Special case: Reports to the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU)
Accidents and Severe disorders (such as engine failure or near misses) must also be taken into account. immediately to the BFU (Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation) be reported. The BFU is independent and carries out its own investigations, the findings of which are publicly documented.
👉 Further information: www.bfu-web.de
Conclusion: Every message counts
Incident reports are not a bureaucratic nuisance, but a A central component of a practised safety culture in aviation. They provide valuable information on potential sources of danger and enable the authorities to Proactive instead of reactive to act.
Anyone who observes or experiences a security-relevant event should do not hesitate - the procedures are simple, anonymous and effective. Because:
Security begins with communication.
Further links:
- Reporting portal: www.aviationreporting.eu
- Information from the Federal Aviation Office: www.lba.de/Ereignismeldungen
- Accident report BFU: www.bfu-web.de
Source references:
LBA