ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
AR 385-40
DA PAM 385-40
Acdt Rpt 1
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
Accident Investigation Publications
• AR 385-40 - Accident Reporting and Records,
1 Nov 94
• Provides policy and procedures and assigns
responsibility for notification, investigation,
reporting, and submission of Army accident
reports.
• DA Pam 385-40 - Army Accident Investigation
and Reporting , 1 Nov 94
• Army Accident Investigation “HOW TO”
manual for aviation and ground accidents.
Acdt Rpt 2
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
ACTION: Investigate / report Army
accidents
CONDITIONS: As a safety NCO / unit
leader
STANDARDS: IAW AR 385-40 & DA PAM
Acdt Rpt 3
385-40.
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
• PURPOSE OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
• DEFINE ARMY ACCIDENT
• ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
RESPONSIBILITIES
• CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENTS
• REPORTING AND RECORDING ARMY
ACCIDENTS
• CATEGORIES OF INVESTIGATION REPORTS
• INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES
• ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
Acdt Rpt 4
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
WHY INVESTIGATE /
REPORT ACCIDENTS?
“Those who do not learn from their
mistakes are doomed to repeat them.”
Acdt Rpt 5
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION / REPORTING
THE INVESTIGATION DETERMINES:
WHAT
HAPPENED?
CAUSE FACTORS
•HUMAN ERROR /
MISTAKE
•MATERIEL
FAILURE
•ENVIRONMENTAL
FACTOR
WHY DID IT
HAPPEN?
SYSTEM
INADEQUACY /
ROOT CAUSE
•SUPPORT
•LEADER
•TRAINING
•STDS /
PROCEDURES
•INDIVIDUAL
WHAT TO
DO ABOUT
IT?
RECOMMENDATIONS
FIXES
CONTROL MEASURES
COUNTERMEASURES
Acdt Rpt 6
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION/REPORTING:
• Identify accident cause factors and system
deficiencies
• Assess manpower and monetary losses due
to accidents
• Collect accident data to develop accident
prevention measures
• Prevention only (not to be used for litigation,
claims, disciplinary action, or adverse
administrative actions)
Acdt Rpt 7
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
LEGAL / REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:
• OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT
(OSHA) PL 91-596
• EXECUTIVE ORDER 12196
• 29 CFR 1960, FEDERAL OSHA PROGRAM
• DOD INSTRUCTION 6055.7
• AR 385-40
• DA PAM 385-40
Acdt Rpt 8
DEFINITION - ACCIDENT
ACCIDENT - an unplanned event that
causes personnel injury or illness, or
property damage.
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 9
DEFINITION - ARMY ACCIDENT
ARMY ACCIDENT - an accident that results
in injury / illness to either army or nonArmy personnel, and/or damage to Army
or non-Army property as a result of Army
operations (caused by the Army).
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 10
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY - Any
nonfatal injury or occupational illness that
in the opinion of the competent medical
authority, permanently and totally
incapacitates a person to the extent that
he or she cannot follow any gainful
employment. The loss, or loss of use of
both hands, feet, eyes, or any combination
thereof as a result of a single accident.
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 11
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY - Any injury
or occupational illness that does not result in
death or permanent disability but, in the opinion
of the competent medical authority, results in the
loss or permanent impairment of any part of the
body with the following exceptions:
•
•
•
•
Loss of teeth
Loss of fingernails or toenails
Loss of tip of finger or tip of toe
Hearing loss
Acdt Rpt 12
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• LOST-TIME CASE- A nonfatal traumatic injury
that causes any loss of time from work beyond
the day or shift on which it occurred or a nonfatal
non-traumatic illness / disease that causes loss of
time from work or disability at any time.
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 13
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• LOST-WORKDAY CASE- Cases in which an
accident results in Army personnel missing one
or more days of work. Days away from work are
those workdays (consecutive or not) on which
Army personnel would have worked but could not
because of injury, occupational illness, or jobrelated physical deficiencies detected during
medical surveillance examinations.
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 14
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• NONFATAL CASE WITHOUT LOST
WORKDAYS - (Light duty / restricted work
activity) - cases other than lost workday cases
where army military, civilian personnel, because
of an injury or occupational illness, experienced
one or more of the following:
• Permanent transfer to another job or termination.
• Loss of consciousness
• Restricted duty (profile)
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 15
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• INJURY- A traumatic wound or other condition
of the body caused by external forces,
including stress or strain. The injury is
identifiable to time and place of occurrence and
member or function of the body affected, and is
caused by a specific event or incident or series
or events or incidents within a single day or
work shift.
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 16
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS - Nontraumatic
physiological harm or loss of capacity produced
by systemic infection; continued or repeated
stress or strain; exposure to toxins, poisons,
fumes, etc., or other continued and repeated
exposures to conditions of the work
environment over a long period of time. A
condition that does not meet the definition of an
injury.
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 17
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• MEDICAL TREATMENT- Any treatment (other
than first aid) administered by a physician or by
registered professional medical personnel
under orders of a physician
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 18
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING - AR 385-40
ACCIDENT REPORTING TERMINOLOGY
• FIRST AID - One-time medical treatment
for minor scratches, cuts, burns, and
similar injuries that do not ordinarily
require medical attention, plus any followup visits for observation. Such one-time
treatment and follow-up visits will be
considered first aid, even if provided by a
physician.
AR 385-40, TERMS
Acdt Rpt 19
WHAT TO INVESTIGATE / REPORT
Commanders will investigate / report:
•
•
•
•
Damage to Army property.
Injury (fatal or nonfatal) to military personnel
Injury to on-duty civilian personnel
Occupational injury or illness (fatal or
nonfatal) to military personnel or Army
civilian employees
AR 385-40, 2-3
Acdt Rpt 20
WHAT TO INVESTIGATE / REPORT
Commanders will investigate / report:
• Injury / illness to non-Army personnel as a
result of Army operations.
• Damage to non-Army property as a direct
result of Army operations.
• Class E Aviation incident
• FOD incidents (class F)
Acdt Rpt 21
OCCURRENCES -
NOT AN ARMY ACCIDENT
• Combat losses
• Directly caused by enemy action
• Due to evasive action taken to avoid enemy
fire
• Failure to return from a combat mission
• Malfunction or failure of component parts
AR 385-40, 2-5
Acdt Rpt 22
OCCURRENCES -
NOT AN ARMY ACCIDENT (CON’T)
• Expected damage (testing)
• Property damage as a result of vandalism,
riot, civil disorder, felony
• Deliberate damage to aircraft or
equipment or to occupants
• Accidents occurring during transport by
commercial carrier
Acdt Rpt 23
NONREPORTABLE
INJURIES / ILLNESSES
• NONOCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS /
INJURY - Injury / illness is not proximate
cause. Example -excessive bleeding of
hemophiliac
• SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES - Suicide or
self-inflicted injury
• CRIMINAL ASSAULT - Fist-fight or brawl
• PRIOR-SERVICE INJURIES - Injury prior
to service entry
AR 385-40, 2-7
Acdt Rpt 24
NONREPORTABLE
INJURIES / ILLNESSES
• INFECTIVE AND PARASITIC DISEASE Example - respiratory disease or foodpoisoning
• STRAINS - Resulting from pre-existing
musculoskeletal disorder (strain occurs
during sneeze)
• HOSPITALIZATION (OBSERVATION ONLY)
• ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY - Injury
occurring while attempting escape
Acdt Rpt 25
NONREPORTABLE
INJURIES / ILLNESSES
• DEATH DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES Example - heart attack
• ADVERSE REACTION- Reaction to
alcohol or drugs not administered by
medical authority
• PRE-EXISTING INJURIES OR
ILLNESSES
Acdt Rpt 26
CLASSIFICATION OF ARMY
ACCIDENTS
Accident Type And Classification are
used to determine:
• Notification requirements,
• Site security requirements,
• Investigation procedures and
responsibilities,
• Required accident reports
AR 385-40, 2-2
Acdt Rpt 27
CLASSIFICATION OF ARMY
ACCIDENTS
CLASS A - an Army accident in which:
• The resulting total cost of property damage
is $1,000,000 or more;
• An Army aircraft or missile is destroyed,
missing, or abandoned; or
• An injury and/or occupational illness results
in a fatality or permanent total disability.
AR 385-40, 2-2
Acdt Rpt 28
CLASSIFICATION OF ARMY
ACCIDENTS
CLASS B - an Army accident in which:
• The resulting total cost of property damage
is $200,000 or more,
• But less than $1,000,000;
• An injury and/or occupational illness results
in permanent partial disability, or
• When five or more personnel are inpatient
hospitalized from a single occurrence.
AR 385-40, 2-2
Acdt Rpt 29
CLASSIFICATION OF ARMY
ACCIDENTS
NOTIFICATION, SECURITY, INVESTIGATION
NOTE:
• Class A & B accident investigations are
conducted by an accident investigation
board (CAI or IAI Board).
• Immediate notification is required through
chain of command to USASC
• If possible, unit must secure the accident
site for the accident board to see. (May
not be possible for traffic accident)
AR 385-40, 3-2, 4-2
Acdt Rpt 30
CLASSIFICATION OF ARMY
ACCIDENTS
CLASS C - an Army accident in which:
• The resulting total cost of property damage is
$10,000 or more,
• But less than $200,000;
• A nonfatal injury that causes any loss of time
from work beyond the day or shift on which it
occurred;
• Or a nonfatal occupational illness that causes
loss of time from work (e.g. 1 work day) or
disability at any time (lost time case).
AR 385-40, 2-2
Acdt Rpt 31
CLASSIFICATION OF ARMY
ACCIDENTS
CLASS D - an Army accident in which:
• The resulting total cost of property damage is
$2,000 or more,
• But less than $10,000.
• Example:
 An Army 5 ton truck backed into a parked civilian
auto resulting in $2500 damage to the privately
owned vehicle (as a result of Army operations).
• Note: An Army accident resulting in less than $2000
property damage and no lost time injury are reported
using local procedures.
AR 385-40, 2-2
Acdt Rpt 32
CLASSIFICATION OF ARMY
ACCIDENTS
CLASS E aviation incident • An Army incident in which the resulting
damage cost and injury severity do not meet
the criteria for
Class A-D accident ($2,000
or more damage; lost time/restricted activity
case).
• A Class E aviation incident is reportable when
the mission is interrupted or not completed.
AR 385-40, 2-2
Acdt Rpt 33
CLASSIFICATION OF ARMY
ACCIDENTS
FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE (FOD)
AVIATION INCIDENT (CLASS F) • Recordable incidents are confined to
aircraft turbine engine damage only as a
result of internal or external FOD
AR 385-40, 2-2
Acdt Rpt 34
ARMY ACCIDENT TYPES
• ARMY AIRCRAFT
•
ACCIDENT
•
• ARMY MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENT (AMV)
•
• ARMY COMBAT VEHICLE
•
(ACV)
• ARMY OPERATED VEHICLE
• OTHER ARMY VEHICLE
•
• PRIVATELY OWNED
VEHICLE (POV)
•
• PERSONNEL INJURY OTHER
•
• MARINE ACCIDENT
•
PE # 1
FIRE
CHEMICAL AGENT
ACCIDENT
EXPLOSIVES ACCIDENT
IONIZING AND
NONIONIZING
RADIATION ACDT &
INCIDENT
NUCLEAR
BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE
MISHAP
DRONE AIRCRAFT (RPV)
FRATRICIDE
Acdt Rpt 35
COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES
PRELIMINARY ACCIDENT SITE PROCEDURES:
• Initiate actions IAW unit pre-accident plan
• Contact emergency services - fire, rescue, MP,
HAZMAT team, EOD
• Notification - chain of command
• First priority - safety of victims, personnel
involved, and the general public
AR 385-40, 2-9, 3-2
Acdt Rpt 36
COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES
PRELININARY ACCIDENT SITE PROCEDURES:
• Neutralize accident site hazards:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fire
Ammunition cook-off / explosion
Fuel spill / hazardous materials.
Burnt carbon fibers (composite materials).
Traffic hazards / additional collisions.
Electrical hazards
Bloodborne pathogen
AR 385-40, 2-9, 3-2
Acdt Rpt 37
COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES
PRELININARY ACCIDENT SITE PROCEDURES:
• Take action to secure / preserve the
accident scene
• Safeguard from bystanders
• Control access to site
• Rope off site - keep unauthorized personnel
out
• Protect physical evidence - ground markings /
scars, placement of wreckage / equipment
AR 385-40, 2-9, 3-2
Acdt Rpt 38
COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES
PRELIMINARY ACCIDENT SITE PROCEDURES:
• Notify the commander of personnel involved
• Notify USASC, DSN 558-2660/3410 (Class A & B
(Avn / Gnd); & Class C Avn mishap)
• Notify USASC - (DA Civilian injuries - 3 or more
hospitalized from a single accident - OSHA DOL
notification)
• Provide information from Notification Worksheet DA
Form 7306-R
AR 385-40, 2-9, 3-2
Acdt Rpt 39
COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES
INVESTIGATION / REPORTING
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Commanders at all levels (installation level
down to company or detachment) are
responsible for investigating and reporting
accidents.
• Class A & B On-duty - CAI / IAI board
• Class A & B Off-duty - Unit prepares AGAR / follow
MACOM /installation procedures for fatal accidents.
• Class C & D - unit prepares AGAR
• Accident report submitted through chain of
command / installation safety to USASC
AR 385-40 Table E-1 / E-2
Acdt Rpt 40
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
RESPONSIBILITIES - GROUND
ACDT CLASS RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
CLASS A & B
ON-DUTY
(NOTIFY USASC)
CAI / IAI BOARD
CLASS A & B
OFF-DUTY
CLASS C & D
ON-DUTY
CLASS A-D
OFF-DUTY
DA CIVILIAN
ON-DUTY
CLASS A & B
CLASS C
(NOTIFY USASC)
MAY APPOINT IAI
UNIT CDR
UNIT CDR
(CLASS A & B
NOTIFY USASC)
CAI / IAI BOARD
SUPERVISOR
DA 285 +
TECH RPT
AGAR
30 DAYS
AGAR
30 DAYS
AGAR
30 DAYS
CA-1, CA-2
CA-6
TECH RPT
CA-1,Acdt
CA-2
Rpt 41
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
RESPONSIBILITIES - AVIATION
ACDT CLASS RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
CLASS A
(NOTIFY USASC)
CAI / IAI BOARD
DA 2397 +
TECH RPT
CLASS B
(NOTIFY USASC)
CAI / IAI BOARD
DA 2397 +
TECH RPT
CLASS C
CLASS D - F
(NOTIFY USASC)
IAI BOARD
UNIT CDR
(PE # 2)
AAAR
90 DAYS
AAAR
10 DAYS
Acdt Rpt 42
REPORTING vs. RECORDING
ARMY ACCIDENTS
REPORTABLE
ACCIDENTS
(ALL ACCIDENTS)
LOCAL REPORT
PROCEDURES
REPORTED TO UNIT
SAFETY OFFICER OR
INSTALLATION SAFETY
MINOR INJURY OR DAMAGE
AR 385-40
REPORTED AND
RECORDED IAW
ARMY PROCEDURES
MEETS CRITERIA FOR
RECORDABLE ACCIDENT /
INCIDENT Acdt Rpt 43
REPORTING vs. RECORDING
ARMY ACCIDENTS
• REPORTING - Report all accidents to the
unit safety officer / installation safety
office
• Local reporting procedures for:
• Property damage less than $2000
• Military personnel injury - no lost time /
restricted duty only
• Military personnel injury - first aid only
Acdt Rpt 44
REPORTING vs. RECORDING
ARMY ACCIDENTS
RECORDING - Meets AR 385-40 criteria for
recordable accident / incident. Investigation
results are recorded on the appropriate form
and forwarded to USASC for entry into Army
accident database.
•
•
•
•
Class A-D Accidents
Class E & FOD Aviation
Damage exceeds $2000
Soldier injury results in 1 or more lost
workdays
Acdt Rpt 45
CATEGORIES OF ACCIDENT
REPORTS
• SAFETY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
REPORT - Used for prevention purposes
only
• Limited Use Report
• General Use Report
• COLLATERAL INVESTIGATION
REPORT - Used to determine
accountability, liability, claims, disciplinary
action
• CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (MP / CID)
AR 385-40, 2-9, 1-7
Acdt Rpt 46
SAFETY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
REPORTS
Limited Use Safety Accident
Investigation Report
• All flight accidents
• Fratricide / friendly fire
• Selected accidents involving other complex
weapons systems as determined by Cdr,
USASC
AR 385-40, 1-7
Acdt Rpt 47
SAFETY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
REPORTS
Limited Use Safety Accident
Investigation Report
• Report is for accident prevention
• May offer confidentiality to witness
• Findings, recommendations, and witness
statements not releasable to public or outside
DoD
• Purely factual information - pictures,
drawings, tests may be released / shared with
collateral investigator
Acdt Rpt 48
SAFETY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
REPORTS - AR 385-40, 1-7
General Use Safety Accident
Investigation Report
• USE - To record data concerning all reportable
accidents not covered by limited use reports.
• Used for accident prevention
• Not for administrative or disciplinary action
within DoD
• Not generally releasable - need to know for the
purpose of accident prevention
• Witness statements not exempt from
disclosure in response to a request under
Acdt Rpt 49
FOIA
COLLATERAL INVESTIGATION
(NOT A SAFETY INVESTIGATION)
• USE - Record facts for use in litigation, claims
and administrative and disciplinary actions
• Required on all on-duty Class A accidents
(LOD will suffice for off-duty fatality)
• Public Interest
• Safety personnel do not conduct, review, or
store collateral investigations.
• Accident investigation has priority
• Collateral investigation covered by: AR 27-20
or
AR 15-6
AR 385-40, 1-8
Acdt Rpt 50
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (MP / CID)
• MP / CID - Investigate to determine if criminal
activity is involved.
• Safety accident investigation board has
access to MP / CID evidence, photos, witness
statements
• Accident investigation will halt if criminal
activity is discovered. (Other than
negligence, dereliction of duty or
disobedience of an order)
AR 385-40, 4-7
Acdt Rpt 51
COMPLETING THE ACCIDENT
REPORT
DA PAM 385-40
Investigate /
Report
Army
Accidents
•DA 285 Army Accident Report
•DA 285-AB-R Abbreviated
Ground Accident Report
Acdt Rpt 52
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS:
WHAT
HAPPENED?
CAUSE FACTORS
•HUMAN ERROR /
MISTAKE
•MATERIEL
FAILURE
•ENVIRONMENTAL
FACTOR
WHY DID IT
HAPPEN?
SYSTEM
INADEQUACY /
ROOT CAUSE
•SUPPORT
•LEADER
•TRAINING
•STDS /
PROCEDURES
•INDIVIDUAL
WHAT TO
DO ABOUT
IT?
RECOMMENDATIONS
FIXES
CONTROL MEASURES
COUNTERMEASURES
Acdt Rpt 53
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
Example of a completed AGAR form,
DA PAM 385-40, page 103-104
PRACTICAL EXERCISE #3
Acdt Rpt 54
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Purpose of accident investigation
Define Army accident
Accident investigation responsibilities
Classification of accidents
Reporting and Recording Army accidents
Categories of investigation reports
Reporting Procedures- AGAR
Accident reporting terminology
Acdt Rpt 55
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
QUESTIONS??
Acdt Rpt 56
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND REPORTING
PRACTICAL EXERCISE # 3
COMPLETING THE ACCIDENT
REPORT FORM
HOMEWORK DUE AT START
OF CLASS IN THE MORNING.
Acdt Rpt 57