Commercial Pilot License (CPL) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct term for occurrences that do not lead to an accident but might affect safety is "incident." In aviation terminology, an incident refers to an occurrence in the operation of an aircraft that does not result in an accident but has the potential to impact safety. This can include various situations, such as a malfunction of equipment, a near-collision, or any event that could have jeopardized safety.

Incidents are important for safety management systems as they help identify and address potential hazards before they escalate into more serious situations or accidents. Capturing and analyzing incidents provides valuable data for improving operational procedures and increasing overall safety. This understanding is critical for pilots and organizations to foster a culture of safety and minimize risks in aviation operations.

In contrast, a hazard typically pertains to a condition that could lead to an incident or accident but does not itself define something that occurred. A near miss involves scenarios where an accident could have happened but did not, whereas an accident is a defined event resulting in damage or injury. Therefore, the specific terminology of "incident" is key in describing occurrences with safety implications without resulting in an accident.