If a pilot has inadvertently violated an FAR, and the FAA is unaware, will filing an Aviation Safety Report with NASA inform the FAA?

Filing an Aviation Safety Report with NASA does not automatically notify the FAA. The NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is designed to encourage pilots and other aviation professionals to report safety-related incidents without the fear of reprisal, intending to improve safety in the aviation industry. When a report is submitted to NASA, it is typically utilized for data collection and analysis rather than acting as a direct communication channel to the FAA.

The ASRS reports can, in some cases, be shared with the FAA if they contain significant safety information, especially if there is a serious incident or an issue that needs urgent attention. However, the key point is that these reports are generally confidential and not intended to serve as automatic notification to regulatory bodies like the FAA. Therefore, unless the FAA becomes aware of the report through other means, such as a serious incident being reported elsewhere, they will not be informed simply by the act of filing the report with NASA.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for aviation professionals who must navigate the regulatory landscape while promoting safety.