What key factor determines whether there is a requirement to notify the NTSB after an incident?

The requirement to notify the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) after an aviation incident hinges primarily on the amount of property damage involved. According to NTSB regulations, an operator must report certain incidents based on specific thresholds of damage. For instance, if the incident results in substantial damage to an aircraft, which is quantified and defined by the NTSB, that triggers the notification requirement.

This regulation is designed to ensure that the NTSB can investigate incidents that may indicate broader safety concerns or regulatory violations. Notifying the NTSB allows for the collection of data that helps improve safety standards across the aviation industry.

Other factors, such as the type of aircraft involved, whether there was an intention to fly, or the presence of injuries, have their own importance but do not serve as primary criteria for this specific notification obligation to the NTSB. The critical threshold remains the quantifiable property damage that meets or exceeds established criteria.