by Jim Gardner
jgardner@insuramerica.com
Before the Accident, Incident, or Occurrence
A. Read your policy. Insurance policies are getting more reader-friendly. Some are better than others, but all of them will explain issues such as:
1). Notification Requirements: Timeliness, specific duties and responsibilities
2). Liability Coverage: Who is and is not covered, what liability claims are and are not covered, defending law suits, expenses.
3). Physical Damage (Hull) Coverage: What is and is not covered, partial loss and total loss, indemnity and betterment, arbitration of disputes, salvage.
Depending on the policy and additional endorsements you have purchased, there may be other benefits in the policy such as: emergency landing and search & rescue provisions, substitute aircraft, alternate transportation and personal expenses. It is good to know that your insurance company may reimburse you for money spent for emergency first aid to others at the time of an accident. Being familiar with your coverage, limits, and responsibilities before an accident will greatly facilitate making better decisions under the stress of calamity.
B. The Internet is a valuable information tool. Some insurance companies offer claims reporting kits that you can download, even if you are not their customer. These kits include explanation of terms and forms that will help you gather the information you will need later. The NTSB website (www.NTSB.gov) offers a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report for download which contains definitions of terms such as aircraft accident, substantial damage, and serious injury. The FAA website (www.FAA.gov/avr/aai) offers access to 8020.11B - Aircraft Accident & Reporting Notification, Investigation and Reporting. In addition, there are reporting forms which give you definitions of when and how to report an incident or accident.
C. Contact List. Make a list of key people and phone numbers you need to contact. Include your aviation insurance broker in this list. Keep copies in several places, including home and office. Including a copy in your personal planner, aircraft checklist, logbook, and/or flight kit is a good idea.
Professional flight departments spend a great deal of time and money building an Emergency Response Program. It may include everything from accident notification to public relations procedures and responsibilities. How hard would it be for the owner of a single aircraft, whether a business or an individual, to create a simple notebook containing some of this valuable information? You may know what to do and who to call, but you may not be in a position to do it yourself.
D. Don’t forget the logbooks. A condition of insurance is that you and your aircraft meet certain FAA and insurance company certification standards. Why complicate the situation with incomplete records?
E. Safety Equipment. We have first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other emergency gear in our homes, autos and boats. Whether the FAA requires it or not, why shouldn’t we do the same in our aircraft?
Some of the procedures when an aircraft goes down: (1) Call the operator’s/pilot’s business to find out what chemical was on board and get the MSDS sheet immediately. (2) Determine toxicity of the chemical using a table: 1-most toxic, 2-toxic, 3-least toxic and 4-seed. (3) Remain upwind or upstream while donning PPE. (4) Maintain contact with emergency workers and other applicators in the area for new information and other contact information.