The Accident Reporting Process
By: SPC Simm
DA PAM 385-40 describes the accident reporting process. It states that, “AR 385–40 prescribes the classes of aircraft accidents that will be reported via DA Form 2397–R series and DA Form 2397–AB–R, Abbreviated Aviation Accident Report (AAAR).”
DA Form 2397-R is made up of “12 technical reporting forms, a command review form, and two index forms. The forms are designed for reporting Army aircraft flight or flight–related accidents. Not all forms are necessary for every technical report”. DA Form 2397–R series are not available through publications supply channels. They will be reproduced locally on 8 1/2– by 11–inch paper. However, a “camera ready” copy is available at the end of DA PAM 385-40.
The documents included in DA Form 2397-R can be formatted in three separate ways, a narrative content, graphic information, or coded data. Each requires different forms to be included in the final report. The first, the narrative content, includes DA Form 2397–R (Part I – Statement of Reviewing Officials) and DA Forms 2397–2–R (Part III – Findings and Recommendations), 3–R (Part IV – Narrative), and 4–R (Part V – Summary of Witness Interview). The second, graphic information, includes DA Form 2397–5–R (Part VI – Wreckage Distribution). The third format, coded data, includes DA Form 2397–1–R (Part II – Summary), the bottom part of DA Form 2397–2–R, and DA Forms 2397–6–R (part VII – In–Flight or Terrain Impact and Crash Damage Data) through 12–R (Part XIII – Fire Data) which will be stored in the Army Safety Management Information System (ASMIS).
“When all required forms in the DA Forms 2397–R series have been completed and the necessary substantiating data have been collected, the recorder will assemble the information”.
“DA Form 2397–AB–R (fig 3–18) is required for all aircraft ground accidents (regardless of class), Class C, D accidents, Class E and F (turbine engine FOD) aviation incidents”. “This report...