Drone Accident Reporting: When and How to File with the FAA

Knowing when and how to report a drone accident is a legal obligation — not optional. The Gyoseishoshi philosophy: when an incident occurs, respond with precision and documentation. Delay, confusion, or failure to report can transform a manageable incident into a major legal exposure. This guide gives you the exact reporting thresholds and process. — MmowW Team 🦉

Quick Takeaways

FAA accident reporting is required within 10 calendar days under § 107.9 for qualifying incidents
Reporting thresholds: serious injury to any person, loss of consciousness, OR property damage ≥ $500 (other than the UAS)
Report through FAA DroneZone online portal — preferred method
More serious accidents (fatalities, aircraft collisions) also require NTSB reporting
Failure to report a qualifying accident is itself a federal violation

The Legal Reporting Obligation {#legal-obligation}

Under 14 CFR § 107.9, a Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) must report certain drone accidents to the FAA within 10 calendar days.

This obligation CANNOT be waived. § 107.57(b) explicitly states that the accident reporting requirement of § 107.9 cannot be waived under § 107.200. Failure to report a qualifying accident is an independent federal violation — separate from and in addition to any violation that caused the accident. Source: 14 CFR § 107.57(b)

The Three Reporting Triggers {#reporting-triggers}

A report is required if the drone operation results in any of the following:

| Serious injury to any person | Injury requiring hospitalization >48 hours, OR bone fractures, OR severe hemorrhage/organ damage/nerve damage, OR 2nd/3rd degree burns covering >5% body, OR any internal organ damage, OR loss of limb | § 107.9(a)(1) |

| Loss of consciousness of any person | Any person rendered unconscious as a result of the operation | § 107.9(a)(1) |

| Property damage ≥ $500 | Damage to property OTHER than the UAS itself, at fair market value | § 107.9(a)(2) |

Note: The drone itself does not count for the $500 threshold. If your drone crashes into a $2,000 car, you must report. If your drone crashes on a grass field and only the drone is damaged (even if $5,000 in damage), no FAA report is required (though NTSB notification may still apply separately).

Defining "Serious Injury" {#serious-injury}

The FAA defines "serious injury" by reference to established aviation standards. An injury qualifies as "serious" if it involves:

| Hospitalization longer than 48 hours | Person admitted to hospital for 2+ days after being struck by drone |

| Second or third-degree burns | Burn injuries covering >5% of body surface area |

| Infectious diseases | If operation directly caused disease transmission (rare) |

Minor injuries (cuts, bruises, superficial scratches) do NOT trigger the reporting requirement, though they may still generate civil liability and best practices documentation.

Calculating the $500 Property Damage Threshold {#property-damage}

The threshold is $500 at fair market value — the replacement or repair cost at the time of the accident.

Examples

| Drone hits parked car — minor scratch — estimated repair $300 | No (below $500) |

| Drone hits parked car — dent and paint damage — repair quote $600 | YES (≥ $500) |

| Drone crashes into own pilot's car (owned by RPIC) | Borderline — technically "property other than the UAS" — report to be safe |

| Drone crash-lands in a field — no property damage except drone | No FAA report required (drone is excluded) |

When in doubt, report. Failure to report a qualifying accident is a separate violation. If you're unsure whether damage reaches $500, get an estimate and report if it does. The consequences of not reporting when required are far greater than the administrative burden of filing a report. Source: 14 CFR § 107.9

How to File: FAA DroneZone Process {#how-to-file}

Step 1: Gather all incident documentation (photos, flight logs, witness info, damage estimates) → Step 2: Go to FAA DroneZone (faadronezone-access.faa.gov) → Step 3: Log in with your account → Step 4: Select "Accident Reports" → Step 5: Complete the online report form → Step 6: Submit before 10-calendar-day deadline → Step 7: Save the report confirmation number → Step 8: Keep complete incident file for your records

Information Required in the Report

NTSB Reporting: When It's Also Required {#ntsb}

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has independent accident reporting requirements for more serious accidents:

What Happens After You Report {#after-reporting}

Your Rights and Responsibilities

Documentation Best Practices {#documentation}

Immediate Post-Accident Documentation Checklist

[ ] Photos/video: Drone (all sides), flight path area, property damage, scene overview
[ ] Witness information: Name, contact info, what they observed
[ ] Victim information: Name, contact info (if person was injured)
[ ] Medical response: Note if emergency services were called; hospital name if applicable
[ ] Property damage: Photographs + owner name + estimated repair quote
[ ] Flight log download: Export your MmowW or app flight log immediately
[ ] Weather data: Screenshot or save weather conditions at time of accident
[ ] Airspace authorization: Copy of LAANC authorization (if applicable)
[ ] Pre-flight checklist: Your completed pre-flight documentation
[ ] Regulatory notes: Write down exactly what happened while memory is fresh

How MmowW Helps with Accident Reporting {#mmoww-section}

MmowW Drone SaaS — inspired by the Gyoseishoshi tradition of thorough documentation — is built for accident preparedness:

Pre-incident (everyday use):

Automatic flight log recording: date, time, location, duration, aircraft, pilot, airspace class, LAANC authorization
Pre-flight checklist documentation: shows the pilot verified safety before flight
Aircraft condition log: maintenance and inspection records

Post-incident (when needed):

One-click accident report template: Pre-populated with aircraft data, pilot data, flight log data
10-day deadline tracker: Notification when a logged incident approaches the 10-calendar-day FAA reporting window
Export: Complete flight documentation package for FAA, NTSB, or insurance submission

$5.69 per aircraft / month · 14-day free trial · No credit card required

FAQ {#faq}

My drone clipped a tree branch and fell to the ground. No one was hurt and there's no property damage. Do I need to report?

No. The reporting threshold requires serious injury to a person, loss of consciousness, or property damage ≥ $500 (other than the UAS). Damage to a tree branch is typically minimal; if the estimated damage to the tree is under $500, no FAA report is required. Source: 14 CFR § 107.9

Someone on the ground was hit by my drone and had a bruise but didn't go to the hospital. Is this a "serious injury"?

A bruise alone is not a "serious injury" under § 107.9 definitions. However, if there is any uncertainty about the severity of injury, encourage the person to seek medical evaluation. If their injury later turns out to be serious (broken bone not immediately apparent, etc.), the 10-day clock runs from when the operator becomes aware the injury is serious. When uncertain: document everything and monitor the situation. Source: 14 CFR § 107.9

The 10-day deadline has passed. What should I do if I should have filed but didn't?

File the report as soon as possible even if late. Include an explanation of the delay in the report. Proactively filing late is generally better than not filing at all — it shows good faith. Consult an aviation attorney if enforcement action is a concern. Source: FAA DroneZone

Summary {#summary}

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Disclaimer

This information is provided for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For official FAA regulations, please consult faa.gov/uas. MmowW acts as a compliance assistance platform — operators remain fully responsible for their compliance with applicable regulations.

References

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⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or regulatory advice. Regulations change frequently — always verify with the relevant aviation authority (CAA) for the most current requirements. MmowW automates compliance tracking but does not replace professional consultation where required by law.