Overview occurences

On this page, LVNL pro-actively publishes the reports of potentially serious occurrences and the results of the occurrence investigations. In this way, we give the local community more insight into aviation safety. The investigation results for each occurrence can be read here, and we indicate which measures LVNL has taken to prevent occurrences.

 

Smaller aircraft, in which pilots fly on sight (VFR - Visual Flight Rules) are not subject to legal safety standards for the separation distance between two aircraft, if they are both flying VFR. The occurrences that are reported are always investigated carefully. However, they are not included in the established criteria and prerequisites for publication. 

Publication criteria

The occurrences that LVNL announces to the public are related to the performance of the task assigned to LVNL. This means that we publish occurrences that take place under the responsibility of air traffic control, and do not publish about technical or operational aspects involving aircraft and/or the airports. The occurrence must also have been reported to the Dutch Safety Board (Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid - OVV). Examples include:

• Loss of distance, or loss of minimum separation, also known as a conflict;
• Take-off from or landing on a runway not in use or an occupied runway, or from a runway not assigned by air traffic control;
• Runway incursion with actual or potential risk of collision; 

 

The severity categories of occurrences have been established by ICAO. The categories are: serious, major and significant. The category for each occurrence is stated after the investigation. In the event of an aviation accident (involving material damage, injuries and/or casualties), LVNL will not publish any report on what happened. 

How the reports are published

Reports are published in two steps:

1. Report of an occurrence: as soon as possible, and in any case within five working days. This report contains basic information about the date and nature of the occurrence. Prior to publication, LVNL has formally notified all authorities (including the Dutch Safety Board), assessed the criteria for publication (such as estimating the severity of the occurrence), collected the information, and notified the organisations involved that publication will take place.
2. Results of the investigation: detailed description of the situation, conclusions of the investigation and any follow-up. After completion of the investigation, LVNL will publish a factual description of the occurrence and its conclusions. If applicable, measures taken by LVNL will also be added, e.g. changes in systems or procedures, or additional communication to operational staff.

When a new notification is reported or when the results of the investigation are published, this is communicated via a news item and an announcement on Twitter. The duration of an investigation depends on the situation and the parties involved. Thorough and careful is always more important than fast.

 

Legal restriction on publication of information

The Aviation Act stipulates that information about occurrences in aviation is confidential and may not be made public. For this reason, LVNL may only publish anonymised information without specific details about companies, flight numbers and/or persons involved in the occurrence. LVNL is also required to maintain confidentiality for all source data.