Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.
When must you notify the NTSB about a drone accident under 49 CFR Part 830?
Under 830.5, the operator must immediately, by the most expeditious means available, notify the nearest NTSB office when an aircraft accident occurs. For an unmanned aircraft, 830.2 defines an accident as death or serious injury to any person, or substantial damage to an aircraft that holds an airworthiness certificate.
830.5 also lists serious incidents that require notification, including a flight control system malfunction or failure, an in-flight fire, a collision in flight, and damage to property other than the aircraft above $25,000. It gives the NTSB Response Operations Center numbers 844-373-9922 and 202-314-6290.
After an accident, 830.15 requires a report on Board Form 6120 within 10 days, and 830.10 requires preserving the wreckage and records.
Sources: 49 CFR 830.5 · 49 CFR 830.2
What the regulation says
49 CFR 830.2, unmanned aircraft accident
Unmanned aircraft accident means an occurrence associated with the operation of any public or civil unmanned aircraft system that takes place between the time that the system is activated with the purpose of flight and the time that the system is deactivated at the conclusion of its mission, in which: (1) Any person suffers death or serious injury; or (2) The aircraft holds an airworthiness certificate and sustains substantial damage.
49 CFR 830.5
shall immediately, and by the most expeditious means available, notify the nearest National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) office
Sources: 49 CFR 830.2, unmanned aircraft accident · 49 CFR 830.5
Exam traps
- NTSB notification under 830.5 must be immediate, by the most expeditious means available, not on a 10-day clock.
- An unmanned aircraft accident needs death or serious injury to a person, or substantial damage to an aircraft that holds an airworthiness certificate.
- Serious injury includes a fracture of any bone except simple fractures of fingers, toes or nose.
- The activity window runs from the time the system is activated with the purpose of flight until it is deactivated at the end of its mission.
Try it: practice questions
Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.
Practice question 1
A flight control failure causes your UAS to collide with the ground without damage to any other property. A report
- A must be made immediately to the NTSB.
- B must be made within 10 days to the FAA.
- C is not required.
Show the answer
Answer: C. is not required.No report is needed. 14 CFR 107.9 requires a report to the FAA within 10 days only for serious injury, loss of consciousness, or more than $500 of damage to property other than the drone. The NTSB must be notified only of an unmanned aircraft accident: someone killed or seriously injured, or an aircraft that holds an airworthiness certificate and is substantially damaged (49 CFR 830.2). A small drone hitting the ground with no injury and no other damage is neither.
FAA sources: 14 CFR 107.9 · 49 CFR 830.2, Unmanned aircraft accident
Practice question 2
While operating a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS), you experience a flyaway and several people suffer injuries. Which of the following injuries requires reporting to the FAA?
- A An injury requiring an overnight hospital stay.
- B Minor bruises.
- C Scrapes and cuts bandaged on site.
Show the answer
Answer: A. An injury requiring an overnight hospital stay.(14 CFR 107.9 states that “accidents must be reported to the FAA within 10 calendar days, any operations involving at least: (a) Serious injury to any person or any loss of consciousness; or (b) Damage to any property for which the cost of repair exceeds $500” An overnight stay in the hospital would be considered serious injury.)
FAA sources: AC 107-2A 4.4 Accident Reporting · 14 CFR 107.9(a)
What counts as a serious injury under Part 830?
Any injury that needs hospitalization for more than 48 hours (starting within 7 days), fractures other than simple fractures of fingers, toes or nose, severe hemorrhage or nerve, muscle or tendon damage, injury to an internal organ, or certain burns.
Source: 49 CFR 830.2
Can you move the wreckage after an accident?
Not before the NTSB takes custody, except as needed to remove injured or trapped persons, protect the wreckage from further damage, or protect the public from injury.
Source: 49 CFR 830.10