Safety event reporting

If you're operating a drone under Part 107 and something goes wrong, you must report it to the FAA within 10 calendar days if the incident involves:

• Serious injury to any person or anyone losing consciousness, or
• Property damage (other than to your own drone) where repair costs exceed $500 or the property's fair market value exceeds $500 if it's a total loss

The key point: minor property damage under $500 doesn't require reporting, but any serious injury always does, regardless of severity beyond the "serious" threshold. This reporting requirement helps the FAA track safety trends and identify potential hazards in drone operations.

You must file the report "in a manner acceptable to the Administrator"—typically through the FAA's online reporting system. The 10-day clock starts immediately after the operation where the incident occurred, so don't delay in assessing whether your situation meets these thresholds.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*