National Transportation Safety Board Docket NTSB-2021-0004 Proposed Rule

2021-09807: Amendment to the Definition of Unmanned Aircraft Accident

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Summary

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) proposes amending the definition of "Unmanned aircraft accident" by removing the weight-based requirement and replacing it with an airworthiness certificate or airworthiness approval requirement. The weight threshold is no longer an appropriate criterion because unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) under 300 lbs. are operating in high-risk environments, such as beyond line-of-sight and over populated areas. The proposed definition will allow the NTSB to be notified of and quickly respond to UAS events with safety significance.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

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