Drone accident reporting in the EU

Overview

UAS operators have a mandatory obligation to report certain incidents and accidents. EASA regulation stipulates that safety-significant events must be documented and forwarded to the competent authority.

The purpose of reporting is not to punish pilots but to collect safety data and improve regulation. Anonymised reports help all operators learn from others' mistakes.

Rules

Mandatory reporting is required when: a collision with a manned aircraft occurs, a person is injured, third-party property is destroyed, or the aircraft is lost without control (run-away). Minor technical faults are generally not reportable.

Reports are filed with TKA and, depending on circumstances, the police. Your insurance policy may require immediate notification of the insurer — this is separate from the TKA report.

Licence

An operator who fails to report a mandatory incident risks additional sanctions. Transparency and prompt reporting are often factors that result in a lower penalty.

Document every incident in your flight log even if it does not meet mandatory reporting criteria. This protects you legally and helps identify recurring technical issues.

Next step

Familiarise yourself with the TKA reporting procedure in advance — during an incident there is no time to search for the form. The TKA website contains current guidance and contacts.

For incident analysis and learning opportunities, see /blog/drone-incidents-lessons. Every incident is an opportunity to improve as a pilot.

Frequently asked questions

Must every technical fault be reported to TKA?

No — only safety-significant events (injuries, collisions, major damage). Minor mechanical faults that do not affect flight safety are generally not reportable.

How long do I have to report after an incident?

TKA guidance specifies the deadline — typically as soon as possible, and in some cases within 72 hours. Check the current TKA website guidance.