Which scenario defines an Operational Incident (OI)?

Which scenario defines an Operational Incident (OI)?

• A. Pedestrians entering movement areas without ATC authorization.
• B. Action of a pilot that violates any Federal Aviation Regulation.
• C. Action of an Air Traffic Controller that results in less than required minimum separation between two or more aircraft, or between an aircraft and obstacles, or clearing an aircraft to take off or land on a closed runway.
• D. An incident that has ample time to avoid collision.

Answer: (C)

Operational incidents occur when airfield operations enter an unsafe state due to actions in the control environment that compromise safe separation or correct runway usage. The scenario that fits this best involves an Air Traffic Controller’s action that results in less than the required minimum separation between aircraft or between an aircraft and obstacles, or that clears an aircraft to take off or land on a closed runway. These conditions directly indicate a safety margin violation or improper runway status, which are the classic indicators of an operational incident and are why this option is the best choice. By contrast, a pedestrian entering movement areas without ATC authorization is an intrusion risk but not an ATC action that creates unsafe separation or wrong runway clearance in this context. A pilot action violating a federal regulation points to pilot error rather than an ATC operational incident. And an incident described as having ample time to avoid collision suggests the risk was recoverable and did not involve the compromised safety state that defines an operational incident.

Operational incidents occur when airfield operations enter an unsafe state due to actions in the control environment that compromise safe separation or correct runway usage. The scenario that fits this best involves an Air Traffic Controller’s action that results in less than the required minimum separation between aircraft or between an aircraft and obstacles, or that clears an aircraft to take off or land on a closed runway. These conditions directly indicate a safety margin violation or improper runway status, which are the classic indicators of an operational incident and are why this option is the best choice.

By contrast, a pedestrian entering movement areas without ATC authorization is an intrusion risk but not an ATC action that creates unsafe separation or wrong runway clearance in this context. A pilot action violating a federal regulation points to pilot error rather than an ATC operational incident. And an incident described as having ample time to avoid collision suggests the risk was recoverable and did not involve the compromised safety state that defines an operational incident.